Mar 12-20, 2012: Vernor Vinge at VERICON, 7 St. Patrick’s Day Parades, Evacuation Day, and 5 giveaways!

03/12/12 by
This Week in ReviewJohnny Monsarrat

Don’t do it! Don’t just go to a bar and get drunk for St. Patrick’s Day. You know that you can do that any time of the year, right? You’re too smart to mistake a few shamrocks for a creative holiday theme, right? So go see a parade! Go to a Kite Fly or learn about ancient Celtic warriors!

I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!

-Johnny

The Week in Weird

Ski Passes for Killington Resort at Boston Events INSIDER

Ski Passes for Killington Resort

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It’s getting warmer in Boston, but there’s plenty of snow in Vermont! I’m giving away tickets to Killington in Vermont. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com and tweet @OddBostonEvents @KillingtonMtn to win. And let me know whether you want 2 tickets or all 4. (Click ‘more’ for details)It’s getting warmer in Boston, but there’s plenty of snow in Ver…
Killington Resort 4763 Killington Road Killington, VT

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tix giveaway: Joshua Tree (U2) + Irish Comedy Tour at Boston Events INSIDER

tix giveaway: Joshua Tree (U2) + Irish Comedy…

Did you know that Patriot Place has a performance stage? On the same they are showcasing two acts Joshua Tree: A Tribute to U2 and The Irish Comedy Tour St. Paddy’s Day Show, and I am giving away tickets! Two winners will get a pair of tickets to BOTH shows. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win. (Click ‘more’ for details)Did you know that Patriot Place has a performance s…
Showcase Live 23 Patriot Place Foxboro, MA

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Little Bit of Ireland - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

Little Bit of Ireland – tix giveaway

I’m also giving away two pairs of tickets for the Saturday, March 17 at 6 pm show of this Irish performance with fiddlers, harpists, and the world champion Irish step dancer! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win. (Click ‘more’ for details)I’m also giving away two pairs of tickets for the Saturday, Mar…
Reagle Theatre 617 Lexington St Waltham, MA

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Recycled Percussion - tix giveaway at Boston Events INSIDER

Recycled Percussion – tix giveaway

Have you ever seen those guys on the sidewalk playing buckets instead of drums? Kinda awesome, right? Now I’mgiving away two pairs of the tickets for this percussion group playing at the Hanover. Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win! (Click ‘more’ for details)Have you ever seen those guys on the sidewalk playing buckets i…
Hanover Theatre 2 Southbridge St Worcester, MA

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Boston

I can’t put it off any longer. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I’d love to see the parade. 1pm, from Broadway T stop (Thomas Park) to Andrew Square. And below are a bunch more St. Patty’s events if you want to get out of town. (Click ‘more’ for details)I can’t put it off any longer. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I’d…
West Broadway South Boston, MA

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St. Patrick's Day Parade & Road Race - Holyoke, MA at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Road Race – Ho…

More Saint Patrick’s Day! The road race is Saturday at 1pm and the parade is Sunday at 11:30am. Claim to be the 2nd largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the USA. Wait, that’s what Boston claims! Well, the #1 is in nearby NYC. (Click ‘more’ for details)More Saint Patrick’s Day! The road race is Saturday…
KMart Plaza 2203 Northampton St Holyoke, MA

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Evacuation Day Ceremony (Revolutionary War) at Boston Events INSIDER

Evacuation Day Ceremony (Revolutionary War)

During the American War of Independence, the British loyalists — mainly rich Bostonians — were pushed into Boston proper and then fled for Britain in boat. That’s “Evacuation Day” and this event in Dorchester is a re-enactment. Actors will dress up in revolutionary war costumes and there will be singing, a musket firing demo, a proclamation by local politicians, and ranger tours. 9am. (Click ‘more’ for details)During the American War of Independence, the British loya…
Dorchester Heights National Monument Boston, MA

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VERICON at Boston Events INSIDER

VERICON

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Wow! Vernor Vinge is coming to Harvard’s geek convention! Along with Joe Haldeman, Neal Stephenson, and Greg Egan, he’s my favorite hard science fiction author. It’s chock full of creativity! Run by Harvard students, it features Monopoly, Scrabble, and plastic ‘boffer’ tournaments, a Dance Dance Revolution Contest, a Masquerade Party, live roleplaying, and capture the flag with Calvin & Hobbes rules! (Click ‘more’ for details)Wow! Vernor Vinge is coming to Harvard’s geek convention! Along with Joe Haldeman, Neal St…
Sever Hall, Harvard University Cambridge, MA

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Celtic Warriors / The Pirate Queen at Boston Events INSIDER

Celtic Warriors / The Pirate Queen

The Higgins armory features a series of Celtic warrior events for St. Patricks Day, including a sing-along and swordplay classes. You really need to see this museum of old-timey armor and weapons. Even if they weren’t holding an event, it’s a must-see in New England! 10am-2:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Higgins armory features a series of Celtic warrior events f…
Higgins Armory 100 Barber Ave Worcester, MA

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Maple Sugaring Festival

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Now this is a maple sugar event! Re-enactors play Native Americans doing chores and making syrup. Then they serve pancakes. Yummy in my tummy! 11am-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Now this is a maple sugar event! Re-enactors play Native Americans doing chor…
Moose Hill 293 Moose Hill St Sharon, MA

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Stacked Kite Fly at Boston Events INSIDER

Stacked Kite Fly

Also in New Hampshire, it’s National Kite Month — because it’s so windy, I suppose. Kiters are great people — very welcoming. Check it out and learn to fly a ‘stunt kite’! 10am-5pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Also in New Hampshire, it’s National Kite Month — because it’s so windy, I s…
Hampton Beach Hampton Beach, NH

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Greenberg Toy & Train Show at Boston Events INSIDER

Greenberg Toy & Train Show

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If you like model trains, you’ll find a bunch, including LEGO dioramas, on display here. Kids under 12 free. Adults just $7. That’s something to CHOO CHOO on. (Get it? Chew on? Hello… ? *crickets* *crickets*). (Click ‘more’ for details)If you like model trains, you’ll find a bunch, including LEGO dior…
Shriner’s Auditorium 99 Fordham Road Wilmington, MA

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Boston Inventgenuity Festival at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Inventgenuity Festival

Make sculptures and learn about architecture through these workshops! Although this event is meant for kids, if you bring a kid along you can get involved as well. 11am-5pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Make sculptures and learn about architecture through these workshops…
Arlington Center for the Arts 41 Foster St Arlington, MA

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New England Open Archery Tournament at Boston Events INSIDER

New England Open Archery Tournament

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I’ve never been to an archery tournament. That’s got to be awesome, right? Too bad I couldn’t find any details. Hmm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I’ve never been to an archery tournament. That’s got to be aw…
Hall’s Arrow 291 Middle Tpke Manchester, CT

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501st New England Storm Troopers in Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade at Boston Events INSIDER

501st New England Storm Troopers in Boston’s …

Boston has the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country. Look for local re-enactors portraying the stormtroopers from Star Wars! Have you already “done” St. Patty’s in Boston? Events INSIDER lists TONS of other St. parades and events if you want to get out of town. Just keep reading! (Click ‘more’ for details)Boston has the second largest St. Patrick’s Day para…
East along Broadway, then west along 4th St, 5th St, and Dorchester St Boston, MA

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Israeli Folk Dance Fest & Ice Cream Social at Boston Events INSIDER

Israeli Folk Dance Fest & Ice Cream Socia…

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Although this seems to be a pure performance, not participatory, you can join in an ice cream mixer 3/17. (Click ‘more’ for details)Although this seems to be a pure performance, not…
Kresge Auditorium @ MIT Cambridge, MA

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Balkan Music Night at Boston Events INSIDER

Balkan Music Night

Tired of Israel? Try this Balkan concert and participatory folk dance night, all in one evening. This is their annual big event. Um, question. Where are “the Balkans” exactly? I looked it up. It’s Greece, Albania, and that whole former Yugoslavia region. 7pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Tired of Israel? Try this Balkan concert and participatory folk dance night, all …
Friends of the Performing Arts in Concord 51 Walden Street Concord, MA

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Nowruz, the Persian New Year at Boston Events INSIDER

Nowruz, the Persian New Year

I don’t normally put performances high up in my blog, but I don’t seen many Iranian events in Boston. (You know that Persian means Iranian, right?) and this one also comes with a social reception. 2-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I don’t normally put performances high up in my blog, but I don’t seen m…
Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA

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Blooms! Boston Flower & Garden Show at Boston Events INSIDER

Blooms! Boston Flower & Garden Show

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Let’s face it. A gardening trade show sounds pretty boring. But I went to one once and it had dozens of room-sized floral displays. Neat-o! (Click ‘more’ for details)Let’s face it. A gardening trade show sounds pretty boring. B…
Seaport World Trade Center Boston, MA

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St. Patrick’s Day

BRT Presents: Pendragon at Boston Events INSIDER

BRT Presents: Pendragon

Pendragon is my favorite folk band in New England! Trust me you are MISSING OUT if you miss this performance. And isn’t it more fun to see a show than go get drunk somewhere? (Click ‘more’ for details)Pendragon is my favorite folk band in New England! Trust me you are MISSI…
The Burren 247 Elm Street Somerville, MA

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The Irish in Concord at Boston Events INSIDER

The Irish in Concord

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Here’s another historical re-enactment tour at The Old Manse, a historic home in Concord, featuring Sarah Alden Bradford Ripley (1793-1867), mother, minister’s wife, and intellectual. Think Dora the Explorer, old school. 1pm and 3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Here’s another historical re-enactment tour at The Old Manse, a historic home i…
The Old Manse 269 Monument Street Concord, MA

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St. Patrick's Day at Patriot Place at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day at Patriot Place

Also at Patriot Place, which is a mall, there is a stage of dance and music performance. Does adding face painting make it a festival? I would say no. And it’s indoors. At a mall. But hey. I like stepdancing! 11am-4:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Also at Patriot Place, which is a mall, there is a stage of da…
Two Patriot Place Foxborough, MA

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St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Longfellow's Wayside Inn! at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Longfellow’s…

This is “only” a dinner and performance, not a lecture or re-enactment, but the Wayside Inn has a ton of interesting historical and literary events. They get a free pass on this listing. (Click ‘more’ for details)This is “only” a dinner and performance, not a lect…
72 Wayside Inn Road Sudbury, MA

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St. Patrick's Day Plunge & Parade - Scituate at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day Plunge & Parade – Scitu…

Here’s another on the South Shore. Parade starts 1pm. Wait, the Irish have bagpipes? When did this happen? What does Sean Connery have to say about this? (Click ‘more’ for details)Here’s another on the South Shore. Parade starts 1…
Scituate, MA

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St. Patrick's Day Parade - Abington, MA at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Abington, MA

There’s also a parade in Abington. That’s on the South Shore. 1pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)There’s also a parade in Abington. That’s on the South Shor…
From Abington Center Abington, MA

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St. Patrick's Day Parade - Newport, RI at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Newport, RI

Newport has a parade too. 11am. (Click ‘more’ for details)Newport has a parade too. 11am.
Newport, RI

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St. Patrick's Day Parade - New London, CT at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – New London, CT

Parades continue in Connecticut. It’s the state that “connects” New York to Boston. 1pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Parades continue in Connecticut. It’s the state that “c…
New London, CT

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The Courthouse O'Putnam 5K at Boston Events INSIDER

The Courthouse O’Putnam 5K

Oh! And here’s a road race for St. Patty’s Day. 12:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Oh! And here’s a road race for St. Patty’s Day. 12:30pm.
Putnam, CT

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St. Patrick's Day Parade - Portland, ME at Boston Events INSIDER

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Portland, ME

I couldn’t find details on this one. I guess they assume that anyone who might possibly care already lives there. :). (Click ‘more’ for details)I couldn’t find details on this one. I guess they assume th…
Portland, ME

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Bath Blarney Days at Boston Events INSIDER

Bath Blarney Days

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The state’s largest St. Patricks Day Parade is part of an entire week of “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” activities in Maine. (Click ‘more’ for details)The state’s largest St. Patricks Day Parade is part of an entire week of “Kiss Me, I’…
Bath, ME

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Also Fun

Opening Day at Plimoth Plantation & Rare Breeds Animal Parade! at Boston Events INSIDER

Opening Day at Plimoth Plantation & Rare …

Imagine you work at Plimoth Plantation, the re-enactment village. You want to spice things up a bit. Why not invite hundreds of exotic animals and make it a parade!! That’s educational, right? Didn’t the Pilgrims have zebras and emus? You bet your sweet ass they did. 9-10am. (Click ‘more’ for details)Imagine you work at Plimoth Plantation, the re-ena…
137 Warren Avenue Plymouth, MA

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Thoreau Ramble at Boston Events INSIDER

Thoreau Ramble

Thoreau won’t be re-enacted at this event, but it will be a nice winter walk through lovely woods, along a pond. Lovely and educational! 1-2pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Thoreau won’t be re-enacted at this event, but it will be a nice winter walk through …
Walden Pond 915 Walden Street Concord, MA

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Happy Anniversary, Henrietta: Astronomy Talk at Boston Events INSIDER

Happy Anniversary, Henrietta: Astronomy Talk

How do we know how far away stars and galaxies are? Harvard’s Henrietta Leavitt figured it out! Come celebrate her 100th anniversary. 7:30pm. Free, with free parking. (Click ‘more’ for details)How do we know how far away stars and galaxies are? H…
Harvard-Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics 60 Garden St Cambridge, MA

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King Pine Cardboard Box Derby at Boston Events INSIDER

King Pine Cardboard Box Derby

I love this. Build a sled out of cardboard and race them down a ski slope! 12pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I love this. Build a sled out of cardboard and race them down a ski sl…
King Pine Freedom, NH

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Spring Carnival Day at Crotched Mountain at Boston Events INSIDER

Spring Carnival Day at Crotched Mountain

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There’s also a cardboard box race at Crotched Mountain, which I don’t know what Crotched means, but I’ll just say it is poorly named compared to Loon Mountain. Their festival has a bunch of other events also and lasts two days. 11am. (Click ‘more’ for details)There’s also a cardboard box race at Crotched Mountain, …
615 Francestown Road Bennington, NH

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Free Film Fridays at Museum of Science at Boston Events INSIDER

Free Film Fridays at Museum of Science

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Sponsored by The Mathworks, the IMAX theatre at the Museum of Science is actually free for every Friday in March. Sweet! (Click ‘more’ for details)Sponsored by The Mathworks, the IMAX theatre at the Museum of …
Museum of Science Boston, MA

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The Great American Meat Out at Boston Events INSIDER

The Great American Meat Out

These people hate meat. That’s cool. It just means more meat for me! Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any actual events, you know, when people get together in the same place and eat cake. Um, with no eggs. (Click ‘more’ for details)These people hate meat. That’s cool. It just means more meat for me! Unfort…
Various Places All Over

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Danvers Pancake Festival

I’m sure they don’t have the “Great American Meat Out” in mind, but there won’t be any meat at this fundraiser for local charities. Unless they serve sausage. Or you count the eggs in the pancakes as meat. 7am-1pm. And they’ll have “costumed characters” and the ubiquitous face painting. (Click ‘more’ for details)I’m sure they don’t have the “Great American Meat Out” in mind, but there w…
Danvers High School 60 Cabot Road Danvers, MA

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Boston Restaurant Week - Winter at Boston Events INSIDER

Boston Restaurant Week – Winter

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This is a commercial promotion, not an event, but the winter is sparse, so we’ll take what we can get. Be warned, even at a discount, most of these restaurants are pricey, and you’re supposed to tip as though you’d paid for a full meal. (Click ‘more’ for details)This is a commercial promotion, not an event, but the winter is spars…
Various Boston, MA

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Performance

Next to Normal - our review at Boston Events INSIDER

Next to Normal – our review

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Winner of three Tony awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play examines the effect that mental illness can have on people and families. Click for our review! And see the Boston Center for Adult Education’s “Behind the Curtain” performance on Wed 3/21 that comes with a pre-show Q&A with the cast and a rep from the National Alliance on Mental Illness! (Click ‘more’ for details)Winner of three Tony awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play e…
Boston Center for the Arts 539 Tremont St Boston, MA

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Massmouth Story Slams

See people compete to tell stories on stage. It’s like a series of one-person theatre shows! And it’s at Club Passim, so you know it has to be good. (Click ‘more’ for details)See people compete to tell stories on stage. It’s like a series of one-perso…
Club Passim 47 Palmer St Cambridge, MA

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WERS A Capella Concert & 60th Anniversary Celebration at Boston Events INSIDER

WERS A Capella Concert & 60th Anniversary…

WERS is my favorite radio station. They’re having their annual concert and there will be a ton of A Capella! Too bad they couldn’t be bothered to list the groups that are performing. (Click ‘more’ for details)WERS is my favorite radio station. They’re having th…
Cutler Majestic Theatre Boston, MA

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A Little Bit of Ireland at Boston Events INSIDER

A Little Bit of Ireland

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A pinch of Irish tenors! A wee touch of Riverdance! A peek at Irish cottage life. A rousing Irish pub visit! (Click ‘more’ for details)A pinch of Irish tenors! A wee touch of Riverdance! A peek at Irish cottage …
617 Lexington St Waltham, MA

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Futurity at Boston Events INSIDER

Futurity

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This is a Civil War sci-fi musical. OMG!!! A Civil War sci-fi musical! Oh Civil War sci-fi musical, you had me at “Civil War sci-fi musical”. And everything at Club Oberon is awesome, so it’s got to be good. (Click ‘more’ for details)This is a Civil War sci-fi musical. OMG!!! A Civil War sci-fi musical! Oh Civil War sci-f…
Club Oberon 2 Arrow Street Cambridge, MA

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Travel

ConnCon at Boston Events INSIDER

ConnCon

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Are you a geek? Are you unable to spell “category”? Come play roleplaying games? These seem to be board games, not live roleplaying. (Click ‘more’ for details)Are you a geek? Are you unable to spell “category”? Come play roleplaying games? These seem…
Sheraton Hotel 700 East Main St Stamford, CT

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Cabot Maple Fest at Boston Events INSIDER

Cabot Maple Fest

Oh Cabot Maple Fest, you had me at All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast. (Click ‘more’ for details)Oh Cabot Maple Fest, you had me at All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast.
Cabot School 25 Common Rd Cabot, VT

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Rudyard Kipling at Boston Events INSIDER

Rudyard Kipling

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I couldn’t find details on this, but… Rudyard Kipling was the British poet and imperialist who wrote the The Jungle Book and other India stories. And he had a home in Vermont? For reals?? Neato! (Click ‘more’ for details)I couldn’t find details on this, but… Rudyard Kipling was the British poet and…
Brattleboro, VT

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Let me build you a website! at Boston Events INSIDER

Let me build you a website!

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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. (Click ‘more’ for details)Need a website? I just built the official website for Liv Tyler’s new fil…
Boston, MA

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