Nov 18-24, 2010: Frog Pond Opening Day, SCA & Geek Fests, Civil War Re-enactment, Santa & Thanksgiving Parades, and Train & Trani Shows!
11/18/10 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Boy, you can tell I’m having a busy week when I wait to post until Thursday! Love this blog? Subscribe to email, 
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-Johnny
| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Thu 11/18 – Sun 12/12Boston MetroFree theatre tix: Vengeance is the Lord’s, and movies too |
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| Vengeance is the Lord’s is a dark comedy when parents contemplate justice as the murderer of their daughter is about to be released on parole. I have two pairs each to give away for the shows Friday Nov 19 at 8pm and Sunday Nov 21 at 7pm! Email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com. Also, last week you missed tickets to Burlesque, The Next Three Days, and some classical music because you’re not on the Facebook group, which is where I send alerts in-between weekly issues. This week I have movie preview tickets for “Faster”, that action flick with The Rock, Monday Nov 22 in Boston. Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 11/21Boston MetroFrog Pond Opening Day & Skate Performance |
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| There’s an ice skating rink on Frog Pond in Boston Common that is refigerated and open in warm or cold weather from this week through March. For opening day, they bring professional ice skaters to perform, the Mayor will give a speech, and skating for the day is free! It’s a wonderful event — highly recommended! 5:30pm. Boston Common, Boston, MA.617 635-2120. more more |
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| Fri 11/19WorcesterHiggins OverKnight |
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| Near Worcester there’s a fantastic museum of ancient weapons and suits of armor. And now you can stay overnight! $45 includes dinner and breakfast. It’s really meant for kids, unfortunately. 100 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA.508-853-6015. more |
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| Sat 11/20Metro WestThe Society for Creative Anachronism’s Duello |
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| This one’s better for adults.The Society for Creative Anachronism is a club for people who like to re-enact how history was, or maybe should have been. For example, history should have been chess where the pieces are human beings who fight with swords! (No, really, that is their event this weekend!). Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road, Bolton, MA. more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Sat 11/20 – Sun 11/21Northern MassThanksgiving Harvest Festival and Civil War Encampment |
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| This celebration will have a blacksmithing demo! And hay rides! And a civil war encampment (which is a re-enactment of a military camp)! Red Apple Farm, Phillipston, MA. more |
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| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Sat 11/20 – Sun 11/21Metro WestSuper Megafest |
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| Here’s another fan convention, and they claim to be the biggest. Do you believe that? Well, they have a ton of genuine celebrities coming, like Christopher Lloyd who played Doc Brown in the Back to the Future movies! Sheraton Framingham, 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA. more |
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| Sun 11/21Northern MassHaverhill VFW Santa Parade |
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| We can’t avoid it. Christmas is here to stay, but at least that means more parades! 1pm. Rain date 11/27. Haverhill, MA.978-373-3777. more |
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| Fri 11/19 – Sun 11/21South ShoreAmerica’s Hometown USA Thanksgiving Celebration |
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| But is it okay if we celebrate Thanksgiving first? I’ve been to this festival in Plymouth that attract’s 125,000 people. There’s an artist’s event Friday night, a parade and festival on Saturday, 11am-4pm, and then a crafts festival Sunday 11am-4pm. They’ll also have an encampment of historical re-enactors, the Mayflower II ship, and a ton more. Water Street, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1818. more |
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| Sun 11/21Metro WestHistoric Thanksgivings at The Old Manse |
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| And the Old Manse is getting in on the act, as well. 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA.978-369-3909. more |
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| Thu 11/18Boston MetroBrookline First Light Festival | ||||
| TONIGHT! This merchant event is taking place all over the city in various venues, with music and dance and arts & crafts workshops. Oh, and shopping. 5-8pm. Various Locations, Brookline, MA. more |
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| Fri 11/19Metro WestFull Moon Owl Prowl |
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| I love these nighttime hikes — and this one comes with trying to find real owls in the wild! (Backup plan: stuffed owls tied onto tree branches.). Broadmoor, 280 Eliot Street, Natick, MA. more |
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| Fri 11/19 – Sat 11/20WorcesterArmenian Food Festival |
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| I’ve rarely heard of an ethnic event with an Armenian theme before, so even though this one’s small, it may be worth a visit. If you don’t feel like traveling, there is an Aremenian Museum in Watertown to try. Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, MA.401-831-6399. more |
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| Sat 11/20 – Sun 11/21Lowell AreaGreenberg 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. Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA. more |
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| Sun 11/21Boston MetroTraniWreck GOLD | ||||
| Not a train hobbyist? How about being a tranny hoobylist! This ‘fabulous’ event is a night of burlesque and cabaret! The website’s not working but, um, I’m certain I saw this somewhere. Middle East Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 11/20 – Sun 11/21South ShoreRockland Open Studios |
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| Again this year the artists at the Rockland Open Studios have forgotten to put a calendar year on their website, leaving me wondering whether the dates listed are for this year or last year. I’m pretty sure it’s for 2010. ET Wrtight Building, 379 Liberty St. Sandpaper Factory, 83 East Water St., Rockland, MA. more |
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| Ho Ho Holidays | ||||
| Fri 11/19 – Sun 11/21New HampshirePortsmouth, NH Holiday Arts Tour |
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| Portsmouth, NH is having open studios as well, but by adding the name ‘holiday’ they’re hoping you think Xmas and buy buy buy some artwork. Various locations, Portsmouth, NH. more |
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| Mon 11/22Boston MetroBoston’s Holiday Trellis Lighting | ||||
| Because of commerce, there’s no putting off Xmas. However, I promise to only write about REAL EVENTS, not every high school that throws together some craft vendors and calls that culture. In Boston Common they’ll have Santa and “performers”. They flick a switch and a tree lights up… hot chocolate and singing… is that a real event? Somebody who’s been write and tell me. 2010; 5:30pm. Christopher Columbus Park, 105 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 11/20Boston MetroFaneuil Hall Tree Lighting |
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| Also getting a jump on the season is Fanueil Hall, which can’t even wait to Thanksgiving to sell sell sell. However, they’ll have bellringers! And caroling! I like that!! 11am-5pm a capella & caroling. 4:30-6pm More performance and tree lighting w/ Santa. Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA. more more |
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| Fri 11/19 – Sat 12/4Metro WestMass Horticultural’s Festival of Trees |
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| They’re having a big party with decorated holiday trees, and a sale, all to benefit people who love plants. 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA. more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Wed 11/17 – Tue 12/21Boston MetroInsideOut: The Museum School Sale |
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| The Museum of Fine Arts isn’t just a museum. They also have a school, and once a year they sell art. This merchant-y event may be worth your time. You just missed their “opening celebration” yesterday. 230 The Fenway, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 11/20 – Wed 11/24Boston MetroMFA Community Day (November) |
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| The MFA is free again, twice! Nov 20 and Nov 24. Thanks! Oh, and there’s a celebration Nov 20, 10:30-11am, Shapiro Family Courtyard for the opening of a new wing. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more more |
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| Thu 11/18 – Sun 11/21Boston MetroBoston International Fine Art Show |
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| Them: “Do you like art?” You: “It’s fine.” Perhaps you’re a target for the Fine Art Show. This seriously commercial event seems to target people with money who actually buy art. Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 11/19Boston MetroQueen Noor of Jordan on Nuclear Disarmament |
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| Want to hear a dictator talk about nukes? Free, but reserve ahead. 5:30-7pm. JFK Library & Museum, Boston, MA. more |
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| Holiday Lights | grade | Thu 11/18 | Fri 11/19 | Sat 11/20 | Sun 11/21 | Mon 11/22 | Tue 11/23 | Wed 11/24 | Thu 11/25 |
| North ShoreStoneham, MAStone Zoo’s Zoolights | B- | R | |||||||
| 2010: Daily 5-9pm. 250,000 lights and lots of animals. But the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the rest are poorly lit. Only OK. Santa is available. 149 Pond Street, 617-989-2000. more |
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| South ShoreCarver, MAEdaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of Lights | A+ | F | S | S | |||||
| The biggest and best “holiday lights” display in New England. It’s quite non-religious, with Santa letting kids sit on his lap but also plenty of generic fare like Frosty the Snowman and a tip of the hat to Hannukah. They have a train ride, ferris wheel, carousel, and other rides. 2010: They have 7 million lights, and fireworks December 3, 10, and 17. See website for coupons. Daily. I’ve been and it’s a ton of fun even for adults who are kids at heart and like people-watching. Rt 3S to exit 6, Rt 44W for 8 miles to Rt 58 for 8 miles. 2010: 4-9pm M-F, 2-9pm Sat, Sun. Pine Street, 877-EDAVILLE. more |
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| South ShoreAvon, MAEnchanted Village at Jordan’s Furniture | ? | R | F | S | S | M | T | W | R |
| Free! It’s a 1958 Jordan Marsh display that’s been restored to health by Jordan’s Furniture. Website is unclear for how long the display goes. Jordan’s Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr more |
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| Southern MassAttleboro, MALa Salette Shrine Festival of Lights | B+ | R | |||||||
| 2010: 5-9pm. Very religious: it’s a shrine. But I’ve been and it was nice anyway. Over 300,000 lights covering 10 acres. Trolley rides Fri-Sun. 947 Park Street, 508-222-5410. more |
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| Western MassSpringfield, MASpringfield’s Bright Night at Forest Park | A | W | R | ||||||
| 2010: Sun-Thu, 5-9pm, Fri-Sun, 5-11pm. 550,000 lights. Surprisingly good though — the 2nd to Edaville. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo (open during school holidays in Dec) at same time. Daily. And check out the holiday lights at Dunn & Phillips, 185 Belmont Ave., Springfield. Rt 83, 413-733-3800. more |
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| ConnecticutNew Haven, CTAnnual Fantasy of Lights | ? | F | S | S | M | T | W | R | |
| Benefits the Easter Seals. Was not able to confirm this is their 2009, not 2008, calendar. Open nightly. Light House Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road, (203) 777-2000. more |
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