Through 4/14/10: Comic, Robot, Indian Fests, Colonial Re-Enactments, Carnivals, Free Day at The Old Manse

04/05/10 by Johnny Monsarrat

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The Week in Weird
Boston Comic Con	4/10 – 4/11	Boston Metro
After seeing Kick-Ass, comic book fans should pile in Boston for this major convention It seems to be quite a real event, with workshops, artists, lectures, as well as numerous vendors. 10am-5pm both days. Hint: if you are a straight woman and know how to giggle, you can CLEAN UP at this convention. Westin Boston Waterfront, Boston, MA. more
National Robotics Week	4/10 – 4/13	Boston Metro
Personally, I’d prefer to be at the Boston Museum of Science, which is having a robot festival, with lectures, demos, and a “block party” on April 17. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Burlesque Life Drawing	4/11	Boston Metro
Although this is a regular event, I like to mention it from time to time. Some day I’ll go and tell you whether it lives up to its hype. 2:30-5:30pm. It’s not just drawing sexy models, it’s a “community” with burlesque performance, drinking, and hooting. My goodness. Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA. more
Rube Goldberg Machine Design Contest	4/10	Metro West
Also geeky, check out this MIT student run event for middle school students. They build complex Rube Goldberg type devices. You know, where the candle burns through a string which releases the parrot who eats the grain, spilling over the bucket, etc. Fay School, 48 Main Street, Southborough, MA. more
Environment Festival @ The Clay Center	4/11	Boston Metro
This one’s also at a high school, but it’s a lot more than just a high school festival. They’ll have science demos, a live animal show, hybrid cars, and more. No really, it seems interesting. Thanks, kids with rich parents! 3-5pm. 20 Newton Street, Brookline, MA. more
Harvard Square’s SpringFest	4/10	Boston Metro
I can’t really get a handle on this festival, but it appears to be outdoors and they’ll have carnival games, dance, martial arts demonstrations, magic, and arts and crafts. I’ll go check it out and report to you in 2011! 11am-5pm. 99 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA. more
Sensational India! Festival	4/10 – 4/11	North Shore
Another museum that’s always holding events is the Peabody Essex in salem. There aren’t many South Asian events around Boston. But this weekend they’ll have dance, live music, storytelling, cooking demonstrations, and more. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA. more
Bedford Spring Carnival	4/8 – 4/18	Metro West
The season’s second carnival comes to Bedford. I’ll keep you up to date on them all! I’ve been to this traveling show and it’s cheesy, somewhat expensive, and definitely worth it. Bedford Mall, Route 3, Bedford, MA. more
Bedford Minuteman Company’s Pole Capping	4/10	Metro West
It’s not Patriot’s Day yet! But taking a cue from St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going to start celebrating anyway. There’ll be a parade at 10:30am from the Bedford Town Common, then up Great Road to Wilson Park, and then volunteers risk damage to their old-timey costume by climbing a tall pole. With a cap. Wilson Park, Bedford, MA.978-369-6993. more more
Paul Revere Capture Ceremony	4/10	Metro West
And they’ll recreate the point when Paul Revere, after signalling trouble, got caught. I love how the website gives locations that no tourist could possibly find on a map. This event is literally listed as happening at the “Paul Revere Capture Site”. So basically you drive up and down Rt 2A hoping to spot it. 3pm. Rt 2A, Lincoln, MA.978-369-6993. more
Meriam’s Corner Exercise	4/10	Metro West
It’s preceded by an assembly of re-enactors. 1pm. Meriam’s Corner, Lexington Road, Concord, MA.978-369-6993. more more
Northeast Wars	4/9 – 4/11	Vermont
Or you could go way over the edge and re-enact a war from the middle ages. Their website does not have a single damn photo on it. Inn at Essex, 70 Essex Way, Essex Junction, VT.800-727-4295. more
Concord Patriot’s Day Celebrations	4/10 – 4/24	Metro West
Concord is starting their celebrations as well. Concord, MA. more
Also Fun
Thomas Edison’s “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere	4/8	Metro West
Thomas Edison invented movies and believed they could be used for education. This was way before Arnold Schwarzenegger came along. Come see him on film reading The Ride of Paul Revere (Edison, not Schwarzenegger). Wayside Inn, 72 Wayside Inn Road, Sudbury, MA. more
Boston Motion Graphics Festival	4/1 – 4/7	Boston Metro
Then fast forward to the future. What is motion graphics? Is that the same thing as CGI? Or it might be interactive art? The website doesn’t really say. But this seems to be a video / film convention where you can mingle and take workshops as well as see what’s new and cool. Various, Various. more
Annual Harvard Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament	4/10 – 4/11	Boston Metro
This event is only movie-like because it’s like Star Wars light sabre fighting but without, um, the light. It sounds great. MAC Mezzanine, Harvard University, 39 Holyoke St., Cambridge, MA 02138. more
Lowell Film Festival	4/8 – 4/10	Northern Mass
Lowell always punches above its weight in events, and this one’s no differerent. As well as films, they’ll have a social reception, an entire “fair trade” marketplace (at least they did last year, but I don’t see it on the schedule), and panel discussions. And it’s free! Revolving Museum, Lowell, MA. more
Open House at The Old Manse	4/10	Metro West
The Old Manse, the old historic home, is also free! 12-2pm. Don’t worry about where you live. They tell me it’s really free to everyone. Just come! The Old Manse, Concord, MA. more
Boston Turkish Film Festival	3/25 – 4/11	Boston Metro
In comparison, this event isn’t free, 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
Six Flags New England – Opening Weekend	4/10 – 4/11	Western Mass
The biggest amusement park in New England opens for the season! Of course, the water park won’t be open until the summer. They don’t seem to have anything special planned that doesn’t happen on other weekends. Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA. more
Revere Spring Carnival	3/24 – 4/18	Metro Boston
And the Revere Carnival continues. Showcase Cinemas, Route 60, Revere, MA. more
Down:2:Earth Expo	4/9 – 4/11	Boston Metro
I can’t figure out whether this ‘festival’ is a genuine festival, or more like a trade show for vendors selling eco-friendly goods. However, they’ll have an entire series of letures and demos. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA. more
Spring Open House @ Tower Hill Botanical Garden	4/11	Worcester
Perhaps you’d like to visit an actual green place instead of a confernce hall. Tower Hill Botanical Garden is having their annual free open house. 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA. more
Athol-Orange River Rat Race	4/10	Western Mass
And in what is perhaps the first real outdoor festival of the Spring, this “river race” of canoes and parade goes without description or schedule at the following website. 1pm. Athol, MA.978-249-9038. more
It’s Big Night @ Ipswich & Norfolk	4/9 – 4/10	North Shore
Big Night” seems to be a guided night-time hike where people in costume will talk about animals. It’s meant for kids, but it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve enjoyed an event for kids. And how many nighttime tours are there, really? Either in Topsfield or in Norfolk, MA at Stonybrook. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkinds Row, Topsfield, MA. more
Beeline Festival	4/5 – 4/19	Boston Metro
This series of performances seems to be a real festival, complete with social mixers as well as the music. One of the performances is by robots, and one of the parties is a traditional Indonesian rice feast. Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA. more
Intergalactic Cardboard Sled Race @ Mt. Sunapee	4/10	New Hampshire
The ski areas are closing and they’re trying to remind us to come back with fun events like sled racing. It’s getting warmer here but there’s still snow in New Hampshire mountains! Mt. Sunapee, Newbury, NH. more
Revels 2nd annual “Cook-Off”	4/10	Boston Metro
Thirty amateur cooks compete for prizes, and you get to eat! Yum! Benefits the “Revels” singing group, but for unknown reasons I guess they won’t be performing. 6:30-8:30pm. 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Newton / Needham Restaurant Week	4/11 – 4/17	Boston Metro
When a restaurant offers a “fixed price”, but it’s $30, you’re supposed to say thank you? I guess so. This is a pure commerical event, but if you’re ever going to eat with the best, this might be for you. Various pricey restaurants offering “discounts” to $30/meal, Newton, MA. more
Subway FREE Cookie Day	4/10	Boston Metro
Subway Sandwich Shop is offering a two for one deal on April 10. Now that gets a thank you! (No, I don’t get paid for any of this stuff I write about. However, I do plan to drive around to 8 different subway stores and pick up food.). Various, All Over, Baby!. more
Performance
Smuckers Stars on Ice	4/11	Rhode Island
This ice skating event features former world champions. Unlike Disney On Ice, it does NOT feature people costumed up as Smuckers jam jars. Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI. more
Banned in Boston	4/9	Boston Metro
This is also a benefit, with skits & songs that feature local politicians and celebrities. Buy tickets now because it usually sells out. Avalon, Landsdowne Street, Boston, MA.617-524-7045. more
Big Apple Circus	4/3 – 5/16	Boston Metro
The Big Apple Circus is not just for kids. I’ve been and it’s a lot of fun. Well, I would say about half the acts are appealing to adults, and just a couple of WOWS!, but that’s enough for me. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.800-922-3772. more