5/28 – 6/2: Red Sox Musical, Memorial Day Parades & Re-enactments, Boston Skillshare, Street Performers, Scientology Protest, and Geocaching
05/28/10 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Yes! This is still Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events, with a new name. You can tell I’m having a crazy week when I can’t post until Friday. Sorry! I’ve been away trying to get my book published. Fortunately, people seem to love it.
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-Johnny
The Week in Weird |
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| Johnny Baseball (Red Sox musical with real baseball park food) | 5/16 – 6/27 | Boston Metro |
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| I have one free ticket to give away to the 6/2 show at 7:30pm! This is the world premiere of Johnny Baseball, a musical about the Red Sox! As you can guess, it’s about reversing the “curse”, but it’s also a brainy commentary on racism. They’ll even have an Italian sausage vendor and beer and wine sales on the patio, so come for dinner, too! I’ll be going and will do a full review next week. Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Boston Skillshare | 5/29 – 5/30 | Boston Metro |
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| The event of the week is Boston Skillshare, a festival of workshops. You can learn about hand drumming, auctions, fundraising, juggling, quill pens, and a lot more! It sounds really interesting! And it’s free! (donation requested). Simmons College, 300 Fenway, Boston, MA. more |
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| Boston Masquerade | 5/31 | Boston Metro | ||
| A bunch of piratical adventurers will take the George’s Island ferry from Boston Harbor Islands at 11 am (and noon for stragglers) and throwing a pirate themed picnic at the fort. They’ll have capture the flag, frisbee, and dodgeball. Bring your own food. This event is targeted at young adults but kids are welcome, too. George’s Island, Boston, MA. more |
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| Northeast Geocache Bash | 5/29 – 5/30 | New Hampshire |
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| Geocaching is when you take a GPS device and hunt around for buried treasure. No, really! This White Mountains festival will have workshops, BBQ parties, and 30 hidden treasures to find. It’s small but looks really creative. Lincoln, NH. more |
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| Visit with Nathaniel Hawthorne & Minutemen | 5/29 – 5/30 | Metro West |
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| This weekend, old-timey New Englandy re-enactments appear! Author Nathaniel Hawthorne will visit, they’ll have fife and drum corps and 18th century games. The Wayside, near 399 Lexington Road, Concord MA. more |
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| Southern Connecticut Renaissance Festival | 5/29 – 6/13 | Connecticut |
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| Or go back even further to the Renaissance era, to a group that really needs a new website. Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT. more |
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| Southern New Hampshire Scottish Games & Celtic Festival | 5/29 | New Hampshire |
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| I’ve seen Scottish Games and I expect this to be a fantastic event! Even though I couldn’t find a real website, you’ll discover — most likely — dance, live music, “clans” with booths, a parade of bagpipes, and all manner of weird sports, like throwing poles. Oak Park, Greenfield NH. more |
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| Street Performer Festival @ Faneuil Hall | 5/29 – 5/31 | Boston Metro |
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| Every year, Faneuil Hall holds a festival of street performers that lasts all weekend. Make sure to catch the Aerial Angels, an act I’ve seen and recommend. 11am-7pm. Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.617-523-1300. more |
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| CS-EYE: Crime Scene Experience | 5/28 – 5/30 | Boston Metro |
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| This roleplaying experience lasts the entire weekend and gives you an opportunity to pretend to be a forenic scientist. It looks really involved, and for $295, let’s hope it’s awesome. Hilton Boston/Dedham Hotel, 25 Allied Drive, Dedham, MA. more |
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| Strange Creek Campout Festival | 5/28 – 5/30 | Western Mass |
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| I don’t normally put music festivals in the top tier, but this one will have a bonfire! Camp out an entire weekend! Camp Kee-Wanee, Greenfield, MA. more |
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| Spring Planting Moon Pow-Wow & Crafts Festival | 5/29 – 5/30 | South Shore |
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| This one’s the clear pick of the lot. Come see native american dancing, demonstrations, and crafts. Marshfield Fairgrounds, 140 Main St., Marshfield, MA. more |
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| Scientology Protest & Lectures | 5/29 – 5/30 | Boston Metro |
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| Journalists are supposed to be fair-minded and neutral, but that doesn’t mean we’re stupid. You already know that Scientology is a scam (and declared so by Times Magazine) that ruins people’s lives while draining their wallets. So bring a mask and join this anonymous protest. It’s a three day event, starting at 10 am on Saturday when they’ll be gathering at Copley Square to march down to the Boston Scientology headquarters at 448 Beacon St. Then Sunday, they meet at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common — also with masks — for speeches by ex-scientologists and cult experts, including an Anonywedding ceremony for two visiting protesters from Louisiana. It sounds like they’ve really gone all-out to create a big event worth attending. Meet in Copley Square, Boston, MA.anonymous@whyweprotest.net. more more |
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| Newburyport Spring Fest | 5/30 – 5/31 | North Shore |
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| This one has a teddy bear parade and the usual live music and vendors. 10am-5pm. Downtown Newburyport, Newburyport, MA. more |
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| Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival | 5/29 – 5/31 | Rhode Island |
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| This one claims to attract 50,000 people to see 150 craft exhibitors with live music and entertainment. Could it be true, or are they just counting all the people who live nearby as attendees? Pawtuxet Village, Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, RI.401-781-1772. more |
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| Boston Zombie March | 5/29 | Boston Metro |
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| A zombie march is when crazy people — like you! — dress up in costume as zombies and parade around town, “scaring” but really entertaining passersby. This one starts at 3:30pm at South Station. Start at South Station, Boston, MA.617-701-4272. more |
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| Silent Rave, with Zombies! | 5/29 | Boston Metro |
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| And afterwards, check out this “silent dance party” where you bring your own MP3 player and dance to music nobody else can hear. 7pm. Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA. more |
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| Bayou N’ Boogie Fest | 5/29 – 5/30 | Southern Mass |
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| My home town of Rehoboth, MA is doing something worth seeing! This isn’t just a music festival. There’s participatory dancing and music and dance workshops with late night jams. And they’ll have an authentic New England clambake!! Come for Cajun and Creole fun. Francis Farm, 27 Francis Farm Rd, Rehoboth, MA.401-965-0849. more |
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Memorial Day |
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| Memorial Day Fireworks @ Hampton Beach | 5/30 | New Hampshire |
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| Of course the big event of the week is really Memorial Day. It’s not hard to find Memorial Day events. I suggest traveling to some small town and catching the enthusiasm of the event organizers. Here are a select few of the dozens of towns that will be celebrating. Let’s start with: fireworks in New Hampshire! Hampton Beach, Hampton Beach, NH. more |
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| Memorial Day Red, White and Blue Kite Fly | 5/31 | Boston Metro |
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| Or go fly a kite and go hiking at the Blue Hills! Kite-making sessions at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm. Blue Hill Observatory, Canton, MA. more |
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| Sudbury Memorial Day Parade | 5/31 | Metro West | ||
| This one’s notable because it will have re-enactors and native americans and will feature WWI. Parade 9:30am-11am. Sudbury, MA. more |
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| Memorial Day Parade: Somerville | 5/30 | Boston Metro |
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| And one in Somerville. Procession at 8am. Parade begins at 1 p.m. Somerville, MA. more |
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| Memorial Day Parade: Dunstable | 5/30 | Northern Mass |
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| There are really too many to list but here’s another, focusing on re-enactors and WWII. Dunstable, MA.978-649-6425. more |
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| Memorial Day Parade: Westford | 5/30 | Lowell |
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| Where the hell is Westford? West? Damn it, everything’s west of Boston. East is the Atlantic ocean! Westford Common, Westford, MA. more |
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| Tyngsboro Memorial Day Parade | 5/31 | Lowell |
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| Where the hell is… ? Oh. It’s also near Lowell. Parade at 11am. Parade starts at Old Town Hall on Kendall Road, Tyngsborough, MA. more |
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| Memorial Day Parade: Quincy | 5/31 | Boston Metro |
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| Parade 10:30am. If rain, parade will be held in the Broad Meadows Middle School gym. Parade starts at 100 Quincy Ave, Quincy, MA. more |
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| Memorial Day Parade @ Old Orchard Beach | 5/31 | Maine |
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| Parade 1pm. Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME.207-934-2500. more |
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| Memorial Day re-enactment in Concord | 5/31 | Metro West |
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| This one’s another re-enactment event, with parades at 9am and 12pm. Concord, MA. more |
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| Memorial Day Concert featuring the USAF Band of Liberty | 5/31 | Metro West |
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| And then a military concert. It’s free! Well, all these Memorial Day things are free. 2pm. Minute Man Visitor Center – Rt 2A, Lexington, MA. more |
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| Memorial Day Walk @ Forest Hills Cemetery | 5/30 | Boston Metro | ||
| This is an expert guided walk exploring the stories of soldiers and survivors of the Civil War and other battles. The host will read excerpts from old-timey letters, diaries and newspapers. Sounds like a brainy way to pay homage to those who have died serving our country. 2pm. Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston, MA. more |
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| MFA is free on memorial day | 5/31 | Boston Metro |
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| The MFA is free on Memorial Day. Thanks!! 10am-4:45pm. Museum o’ Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more |
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Also Fun |
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| Free ice cream @ Bleacher Bar | 5/29 | Boston Metro |
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| FREE soft-serve ice cream! Yes, I really will list just about any event that serves free food! Free food is a way of life! 4pm. Bleacher Bar, 82A Lansdowe St, Boston, MA. more |
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| Discovery Day in Lexington | 5/28 | Metro West |
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| There’s a small town festival in Lexington. Live music and dancing, balloons and clowns, and the usual vendors. 10am-3pm. Rain date 7 days later. Muzzey Street at Waltham Street, Lexington, MA. more |
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| Massachusetts Sheep and Wool Show | 5/29 – 5/30 | Western Mass |
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| This is the oldest sheep festival in New England, they say. They will have sheep. And bunny wabbits! Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA. more |
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| North River Festival of the Arts | 5/28 – 6/8 | South Shore |
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| As well as the “juried” art show — basically a marketplace, they’ll have live music, dancing, and juggling. Rain or shine. 10am-5pm. Marshfield Hills Village, Marshfield Hills, MA. more |
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| Hoosic River Riverfest | 5/29 | Western Mass |
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| This one’s way out west, but hey — stop by the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA)! Williamstown, MA. more |
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| Asparagus Festival at Verrill Farm | 5/29 | Metro West |
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| And naturally we should jump over to Verrill farm to celebrating asparagus. Or just a nice sunny day on this public admission farm. 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA. more |
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| Virtu Art Festival | 5/29 – 5/30 | Rhode Island |
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| This arts fest comes with a karate demonstration and bagpiping. Free. Rain or shine. 10am-5pm. Wilcox Park, Westerly, RI. more |
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| Attleboro Spring Carnival | 5/27 – 5/31 | Southern Mass |
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| Fiesta Shows continues shlepping their carnival around. It’s cheesy. It’s fun. Just go. Check website for coupon. Attleboro, MA. more |
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| Lakeside Family Festival | 5/27 – 5/31 | Southern Mass |
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| And near New Bedford…. Church, 157 Middleboro Rd, East Freetown, MA. more |
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| Lowell Carnival | 5/27 – 6/6 | Lowell |
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| And near Lowell. OK, well IN Lowell…. Regatta Field, Pawtuckett Blvd., Lowell, MA. more |
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Performance |
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| The Lady with All the Answers | 5/13 – 6/26 | Boston Metro |
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| I don’t write much about performance. I wait until it’s AWESOME. Did you know that advice columnist Ann Landers helped get the National Cancer Act passed? Or that her competitive sister was Dear Abby? This one-woman act combines comedy and drama, and I’ve just seen it at the new theatre in Central Square. It’s moving and brilliant. You learn a lot and actress Do yourself a favor and actress Stephanie Clayman engages the audience with such questions as, How long have you been married? And How should toilet paper be hung? The real Ann Landers got thousands and thousands of letters and now it’s your turn to join in her poll on American life and advice. GO SEE IT NOW. Central Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Murder Mystery & Evening With the Astors @ Belcourt Castle | 5/21 – 8/26 | Newport Area |
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| The murder mystery events begin for the season in Newport. I really want to go someday! Every Thursday at 7pm. Reserve in advance. Belcourt Castle, Newport, RI.401-846-3772. more more |
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| Consort Conspiracy | 5/28 | Boston Metro | ||
| Weird is off the charts with this music, poetry, and visual treat performance. They play Baroque instruments by candlelight wearing masks, and best of all — they ask the audience to join in the fun. It reminds me of that film, Eyes Wide Shut. 8pm. Suggested donation $15/$5 students. For more info, e-mail ConsortConspiracy@gmail.com. Bring your own mask, or they’ll provide one. Beacon Hill Friends House, 6 Chestnut Street, Boston, MA. more |
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| Clogging Workshops | 5/29 | Boston Metro |
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| My favorite folk music group is finally coming to Boston! (Mainly they perform around RI.) As well as music, they’ll be teaching clogging, which is some kind of folk dance. 3-4 pm beginning clogging, 4-5 pm intermediate clogging, $15 for on! e class, $25 for both. Wear hard leather soles or solid tap shoes. Green Street Studios #3, 185 Green St., Cambridge, MA. more more |
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| A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Naked | 6/2 – 6/19 | Boston Metro |
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| You’ve seen Shakespeare. You’ve seen it over and over again. So theatre companies go a little nuts trying to present new ideas, like having everyone dress up as Planet from the Apes and doing Shakespeare. Well.. This one has no apes. But they’re naked. The idea is that when the Fairies frolick in the woods, they REALLLLLLLY frolic and they want to show that. Contemporary Theatre of Boston, BCA Plaza Theatre, Boston, MA. more |
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