Mar 28-Apr 5, 2011: Beach, Kite, India, Deaf, Toga, and Pillow Fight Festivals, Carnival & Circus, Stargazing, & tons of giveaways!
03/28/11 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Welcome to Events INSIDER! This week, one of my theatre reviewers broke her collarbone. I can only hope that someone writes a play about her struggle back to good health.
So, I’m looking for an additional theatre reviewer. Email me if you’d like to get sent with a guest to see tons of free shows. I need someone organized enough to keep a schedule, with enough edumacation to have insights that make people think “wow!”, but enough groundedness to write reviews for people who don’t read Medea on the toilet like you do. Email me at johnny@eventsINSIDER.com and suggest the dates that you could review 9 Circles at the Publick Theatre this week.
-Johnny
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and if you help get the word out, I’ll put you on my priority list to win free stuff and send you the FREE 27-page Spring 2011 Guide, with over 720 off-beat attractions you won’t find in the blog! 
| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Fri 4/1 – Sat 4/16Boston MetroRENT – ticket giveaway |
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| America’s oldest community theatre is performing a show that’s so well-loved, the entire description on this website is “Description: Musical”. And I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away! Choose Fri 4/1 or Sat 4/2 and email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com. 7A Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2 – Sun 5/15Boston MetroBig Apple Circus – tix giveaway |
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| I’ve been to the Big Apple Circus and it’s surprisingly fun for adults — even though the show is for kids, of course. About a third of the acts have “wow!” value. This year’s theme is “Dance On!” and while there’s no dance floor for the audience, you can do a little chair dance if you like. I’ve got a family-4-pack of tickets to give away (or 2 pairs) to opening day, Sat 4/2 at 12:30pm. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com and tell me how many tickets you’d like and whether they are going to actual children or that bookie you owe money to for trusting that tip on “Of Horse We Can”. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.800-922-3772. more |
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| Fri 3/18 – Fri 4/15Boston MetroAgainst the Odds: Stories of Adaptation, Translation, and Survival – tix giveaway |
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| Springstep is this new, modern performance space in “MED-fid” that is mainly used for participatory dance. This month, “Against the Odds” is holding a series of dance performances followed by a discussion (Fridays) and a series of dance workshops (Saturdays). Somehow it’s related to “physical storytelling and how things adapt to survive”. I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away for the 4/15 show. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com! Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/1Boston MetroKitschInSync – ticket giveaway |
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| This Improv Comedy troupe is doing an April Fool’s Day themed show full of pranks and surprises. Show up early and give the cast some extra cash to do something special to, um, I mean FOR your best friend. I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away! 8pm. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St, Brookline, MA. more more |
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| Thu 3/17 – Sat 4/9Boston Metro9 Circles – tix giveaway – and review of Igudesman & Joo |
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| My review of Igudesman & Joo is easy to keep short: it was flawless. What a treat to see comedy performed by musicians who are real musicians: a classically trained pianist and violinst. I’m actively aching for every one of you who missed it. They really are the reincarnation of the not-dead-yet PDQ Bach, and Harpo Marx. Now here is the next production by the same publicist that you will not want to miss. 9 Circles is the East Coast premiere of a psychological thriller about an American soldier in Iraq arrested for a crime he may not have committed. I have 5 pairs of tickets to give away for the Thursday 3/31 performance! Email johnny@eventsinsider.com. BCA Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA. more |
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| Wed 3/23 – Sun 4/17Boston MetroRevere Spring Carnival |
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| Carnival season returns! That must mean it’s spring. Fiesta Shows brings their slightly hokey and overpriced but undeniably fun traveling carnival to Revere, and I’ll keep you on the pulse of where else they’ll be all year. Showcase Cinemas, Route 60, Revere, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2Boston MetroWollaston Beach Kite Festival and SPLASH |
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| Wollaston Beach, and they’re adding a festival, with kites, a DJ, kids’ games, the ubiquitous facepainting, and the “Cupid Splash”, see below item for details. 10:30am-2pm. Wollaston Beach, Quincy MA. more more |
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| Sat 4/2All OverCupid Splash |
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| The Cupid Splash is a fundraiser where you bug your friends for donations and thank them by — instead of baking a cake — jumping into icy freezing water. (Actually, I would pay a *LOT* of money to see my friend dive into the ocean and start shrieking like a frightened child. I’d put it up on YouTube.) Supports a Boston Harbor advocacy group. This event was originally scheduled for mid-February, thus the Valentine’s themed name, but apparently the jumpers are not THAT crazy. Eight simultaneous splashes at 12pm followed by an indoor warm-up party at Revere Beach, South Boston, Dorchester, Constitution Beach, Lynn and Nahant, Nantasket, Winthrop, and Wollaston Beach. Beaches from Nahant to Nantucket, All Over. more more |
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| Sat 4/2North ShoreSalem Spring Fling – tix giveaway |
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| Who knew how to party? The ancient Romans. They even had a Party God, Bacchus. So put on your toga and come to this wine- and food-tasting with live music. While it won’t degenerate (elevate?) into an orgy, they’ll have massage, “garden nymphs”, and The Oracle of Delphi. I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com. 6-9pm. Old Town Hall, Front Street, Salem, MA. more more |
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| Sat 4/2 – Sun 4/3North ShoreSensational India! Festival |
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| While you’re in Salem, check out this festival of Indian Art & Culture at one of my favorite museums. It features a Bollywood Dance Party, drop-in art activities, lectures, and performance of dance, sitar, and storytelling. Count me in! Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/1Metro WestHoli: Festival of Colors |
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| Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop the planet! Are you telling me that INDIANS have a festival where you can THROW AROUND COLORED PAINT? Damn!! Take that, St. Patrick’s Day! How can I become Indian? MassBay Community College, 50 Oakland Street, Wellesley, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2 – Sun 4/3Boston MetroDance Marathon Boston University |
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| And your Bollywood dancing and toga skils will come in handy at this uncreatively named 18-hour dance marathon to benefit AIDS research. Their website says, “You can participate as a dancer, moraler, or volunteer…” What is a moraler? Are they the fashion police watching for wardrobe malfunctions? (Stop that! Too much Disco on the dance floor!). Boston University, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2Boston MetroWorld Pillow Fight Day |
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| Pillow Fight Day is exactly what you think it is! Bring an old pillow you can destroy and have at! I must protest the secrecy surrounding the location for the event. It’s not illegal, so there’s no worry about police action, and what possible stalkers could shut down an event with 200 pillow-fighters? Take a look at the Pillow Fight website and you’ll see addresses for almost all the cities around the world. Please, Misteriosos, if street protestors can risk their lives for freedom in Libya, can’t you tell us poor journalists and event-goers where the more tame of your events will be held? Well, it’s probably Boston Common again. 3pm. A secret. See website., Boston, MA. more more |
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| Fri 4/1 – Sat 4/2Boston MetroGeorge W. Veditz American Sign Language Festival |
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| Instead of a Dance Marathon, Northeastern hosts a series of ASL workshops that include “competition” and “entertainment” that are so outstanding, they don’t need to be described on their website. The message is clearly, “Nobody’s going to want to come to this who doesn’t already have a friend who’s organizing who will tell them what the entertainment is.” (Last year it was a magician and a comedian.). Northeastern University, Boston, MA. more |
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| Tue 3/29Boston MetroClay Center’s Public Observatory Nights re-open |
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| A ton of local observatories — email me for the Events INSIDER Spring 2011 Guide to see them all — host stargazing nights. Here’s one in Brookline, which is every Tuesday, 7-8:30pm. You get to try out some fancy telescopes and hear a real astronomer explain what that barely visible smudge is. Call ahead if the weather looks cloudy. 20 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-454-2795. more |
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| Sat 4/2Boston MetroStargazing Workshop |
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| This one’s a one-time event, conveniently in Belmont. Who knew that Belmont had its own Audubon park? Wildlife Sanctuary, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA. more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Sat 3/26 – Mon 5/2Boston MetroKite Month flying at Pope John Paul II Park |
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| Every weekend during kite month, Greg Lamoureux and his crew of kite enthusiasts will be flying at this Dorchester park. 11am-3pm. Pope John Paul II Park, Dorchester, MA. more |
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| Wed 3/30Boston MetroBlindspot: The Hidden Biases of Good People |
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| Civilization is only 10,000 years old and humans are basically still animals. Here’s a lecture about the many ways that the human mind might be biased by our animal nature, both consciously (“let’s eat a whole bag of Oreos”) and unconsciously (“stare at boobs!”). 6:30pm. It’s free. Although it’s sold out, “a limited numberof passes will be available in the lobby on the day of the event. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more |
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| Tue 3/29Boston MetroThe Teotihuacan Cosmogram and Polity: Update on the Sacred City and its Three Monuments |
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| Here’s another talk, about the ancients behind Mexico City’s Sun and Moon Pyramids, where they’ve recently discovered new graves. OoOoOoooO! 5:30pm, followed by a reception at the Peabody Museum. Harvard’s Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/1Rhode IslandOwl Prowl at Parker Woodland |
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| Get this! You meet at night and get an indoor presentation. Then you sneak out to see real owls outdoors! Bring a flashlight. Register. 7-9pm. Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Maple Valley Road, Coventry, RI.(401) 949-5454, ext. 3041. more |
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| Sun 4/3Worcester, MAClosing Party & Pond Skim at Wachusett Mtn |
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| How awesome is this? To close the skiing season, competitors in costume will try to zip down what’s left of the snow on skiis and make it across a pond. As well as the ski area, Wachusett Mountain has a separate state park that’s great fun to hike — perhaps the most convenient hiking spot to Boston that’s a real ‘mountain’. Wachusett Mountain, Princeton, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2 – Sun 4/3New HampshireFestEVOL |
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| There’s a slush competition at Mount Sunapee, too, and they’re adding a live concert by O.A.R. Sweet! Mt. Sunapee, Newbury, NH. more |
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| Sat 4/2Worcester, MASheep Shearing Open House |
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| Also near Worcester, how’d you like to see some sheep get shorn? Park, 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/1 – Sun 4/3Boston MetroWorld of Wheels |
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| I don’t normally list this big expo center commercial stuff, but they’ll have B-list celebrities, “Comic Bots featuring King Robota”, and random blue collar stuff like a “Pin Up Girl Contest”. Bring your own pins. Boston Expo Center, 200 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2Cape CodFirst Annual Hog Off Fundraiser |
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| Oh First Annual Hog Off Fundraiser, you had me at “Hog Off”. The hogs are quahogs, pronounced “co-hogs”, and it is basically a clambake with different restaurants competing for the best meal. They’ll have a DJ. 1-4pm. 97 Spring Bars Rd, Falmouth, MA. more more |
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| Sun 4/3North ShoreIntroduction to Birdwatching |
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| I’d like to learn how to birdwatch. I never seem to be able to spot them — what are the tricks? Unfortunately, this intro is at 9am on a Sunday. Where’s the intro to birdwatching at 1pm? :). Joppa Flats, Newburyport, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2Boston MetroYoung Filmmakers Competition |
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| I don’t normally feature film fesivals, but this one features a stop-motion film workshop beforehand and a social mixer afterwards. Tickets are only $5. Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. more |
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| Thu 3/24 – Thu 3/31Boston MetroBoston Underground Film Festival |
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| Jesus! The first film on the schedule is “Hobo With a Shotgun” and it just gets crazier from there, with 4 parties including the Machete Maidens Party and plenty of director & celebrity Q&As to beef up this film marathon into a real fest! Look for J. Cannibal’s program of horror short films. Kendall Square Cinema, Cambridge, MA.617-202-5059. more |
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| Thu 3/24 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroBoston Turkish Film Festival |
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| I’d still rather than you go outdoors than stay in a dark room watching movies, but I don’t know any other Turkish events in New England, so it’s worth a shot. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/15Boston MetroDeval Patrick |
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| I’m listing this early because it will most likely sell out. If you want to see Deval Patrick — you know that’s our state governor, right? — talk about his book, sign up now. Harvard Bookstore, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Wed 3/30Boston MetroLittle Black Dress Party at The Estate |
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| There are a lot of nightclubs, but not many creative nightclub events, which is why I choose few of them. Here’s one that I’m listing because I was asked nicely. It features “Australia’s leading female DJ”, Havana Brown, who played the crowd warm-up music for all shows of Britney Spears’ 2009 tour. Doors open at 10pm. 21+. The Estate, One Boylston Place, Boston, MA.617.351.7000. more |
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| Sat 1/1 – Sat 12/31EverywhereEvents INSIDER Question of the Week | ||||
| I’d like to get some conversation going on the Facebook fan page and Twitter feed. You tell me. What’s a good idea for an April Fool’s Joke? Everywhere. more |
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| Performance | ||||
| Sat 4/2 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroSpace Opera – ticket giveaway |
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| Space Opera is a Star Wars musical run by a local parent-and-child theatre troupe. It’s cute to see kids 7-15 dressed as stormtroopers and droids. If you have kids to bring, check it out. And I have two pairs of tickets to give away! They are physical tickets, so email johnny@eventsinsider.com, tell me whether you want the show Sat 4/2 or Sun 4/3, and include your address. Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave, Cambridge MA. more more |
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| Fri 3/25 – Sat 4/2Metro WestHeirs & Errors” Original Mystery Dinner Theater |
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| This theatre show combines a three-course meal, a wedding, a murder mystery, and a Jane Austen setting into one performance! Historic Village Hall, 2 Oak St, Framingham Center, MA. more more |
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| Mon 3/28 – Wed 3/30Boston MetroSlamBoston |
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| Between 6 and 9 ten-minute plays compete in a festival atmosphere. Looks interesting. Factory Theatre, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/1Northern MassSo Nice to Come Home To: The WWII-Era Sound |
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| It’s unfortunate that this benefit says World War II era music rather than 1940s music. So, I guess that’s big band & jazz? The Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA. more more |
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| Sat 4/2Rhode IslandStrictly Sinatra |
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| This performer “re-enacts” Frank Sinatra for an evening. That’s more like it! West Valley Inn, 4 Blossom St, West Warwick, RI. more |
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| Fri 4/1Boston MetroBanned in Boston |
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| This is also a benefit, with skits & songs that feature local politicians and celebrities. Buy tickets now because it usually sells out. House of Blues, Landsdowne Street, Boston, MA.617-524-7045. more |
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| Fri 4/1 – Sat 4/2Boston MetroToilet Bowl Love |
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| This is an “epic tale of love between a girl and her toilet”. It’s either going to be amazing or awful. No middle ground! Atlantis Playmakers, 380 Cambridge St, Burlington, MA. more more |
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| Fri 4/1 – Sat 4/9Boston MetroRabbit Hole |
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| While Harvard’s more famous theatre group has abandoned us for Bermuda, the loyal Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club is offering shows for free! (but reserve in advance) A couple loses their young son to a car accident. What will happen next? Loeb Experimental Theater, 64 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sun 4/3Boston MetroMidsummer Night’s Dream at the MFA |
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| They start with perhaps our favorite Shakespeare play, the comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream with faeries and the true nature of love. Then they add music, poetry, and “stunning images” (projected onto a screen?) from the Museum of Fine Arts. And there’s a social mixer! This event at the MFA showcases the upcoming BLO production April 29 – May 10. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA.617.542.4912 x229. more |
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| Thu 3/24 – Sat 4/2Boston MetroThe Spitting Image – review |
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| He paints. She models. But as the painting emerges, so do their secrets. Art is an illustration of life in this drama about self-identity that’s inspired by ancient Greek myths but grounded accessibly in the Internet era. Our reviewer calls it “a gem”! Click for the review. Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St, Boston, MA.617-817-6600. more our review
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| Wed 3/23 – Sun 4/3Boston MetroFragments |
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| If you know something about theatre, Director Peter Brook is exceptionally famous. Fragments “illuminates the comedy and courage in Beckett’s characters who dare to face the void.” Click for our review! Paramount Mainstage, Boston, MA. more our review |
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| Thu 3/24 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroThe Rimers of Eldritch – review |
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| The murder of a teenage girl leads to many secrets unraveling in a mining town. How thrilling! Click for our review. 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA. more our review
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| Mon 3/28Metro WestKyogen Comedy and Mime |
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| The only comedy I’m aware of in Japan is the TV show where a guy enters an outhouse on a ski slope, sits on the toilet, and — whoops! — is suddenly lauched down the slope onto skis. Check out this “traditional Japanese comedy” and ask Katsumi Yanagimoto about bringing Japan’s lax liability laws to the USA. Free! 7:30pm. Barstow Stage, Alumnae Hall, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA. more |
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