Weird Boston Events Nov 11-18: History & SF Fests, Open Studios, Train Show, Meteors, Roman Legion, Campfire Tales

11/11/09 by Johnny Monsarrat

Love this blog? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
The New England Fan Experience	11/13 – 11/15	Boston Metro
There’s not much that’s weird this week, but this festival of science-fiction, anime, and gaming will have panels, vendors, and costuming activities. Hyatt Regency, Cambridge, MA. more
New England History Festival	11/14	Boston Metro
People who love history have a festival too, packed with interesting speakers and re-enactors on Olde Timey New Englandly topics such as the Salem witch trials and Paul Revere’s ride. Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown Street., Watertown, MA. more
Legio III Cyrenaica Roman Legion @ Higgins Armory	11/14	Worcester
The Higgins Armory is always worth a trip. It’s one of these perfect places that both kids and adults enjoy, and see and learn about the armor and weaponry from ancient times. They are continually having fun events. This weekend, re-enactors play warriors from Ancient Rome. 100 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA.508-853-6015. more
An Evening of Illumination @ OSV	11/14	Worcester
Also re-enactment-tastic, Sturbridge Village is bigger than and just as good as Plimoth Plantation. They are continually having events and this one is at night using 19th century lights. I’m sure it’s beautiful. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA.508 347-3362. more
Tales Around the Campfire	11/13	Boston Metro
I really want to go see this one! It’s a nighttime walk and campfire stories. Must register to attend. 6:30-8:30pm. Habitat, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA.617-489-5050. more
Allston/Brighton Open Studios (Boston Open Studios)	11/14 – 11/15	Boston Metro
An open studios is an excuse to walk around town, visiting artists in their studios or private homes. It’s interesting to chat directly with the artists rather than merchants, and of course they hope you’ll buy something. This one seems pretty small, being focused on just two buildings. 1 Braintree Street, Allston, MA.617-254-3333-. more
Fenway Studios Open Studios	11/14 – 11/15	Boston Metro
Fenway will have one that’s just a single building. 30 Ipswich Street, Boston, MA.617-536-3756. more
Rockland Open Studios	11/21 – 11/22	South Shore
Their website says 2007, but they posted it online for 2009, so it must be happening. ET Wrtight Building, 379 Liberty St. Sandpaper Factory, 83 East Water St., Rockland, MA. more
Battle of the Lawyers	11/12	Boston Metro
This one’s sort of an open studios for lawyers. Are you curious what trial lawyers actually do and say, off the movie screen and in real life? They will show us in a series of lectures called “Battle of the Lawyers”. Millstein Hall Auditorium, 10 Winter Place, Boston, MA.617-218-8211. more
Brockton Train Show	11/14	South Shore
There aren’t very many events for model train enthusiasts near Boston. But here is one. Come see the trains and, um, more trains. Best of all, it’s held in a temple. Temple at Pearl & Torrey Sts, Brockton, MA.508-583-5810. more
Leonids Meteor Shower	11/17	Metro West
When you go to watch a meteor shower, go someplace without city lights, like a big pond or open field in the suburbs. Everywhere, Everywhere. more more
Also Fun
Tavern Fare in 18th & 19th Century New England with Bean Supper	11/13	North Shore
Are you curious what people really ate in ages past? I’m sort of not. 66 Main St, Essex, MA.978-282-8222. more
Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair	11/13 – 11/15	Boston Metro
Are you curious what books they read? Here’s your last chance to see some original texts while children still know what a ‘book’ is. They’ll have talks by book collectors and serious workshops for hobbyists and professionals. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA.617-954-2000. more
Boston International Fine Art Show	11/12 – 11/15	Boston Metro
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
Somerville Writers Conference	11/14	Boston Metro
Are you a writer? A wannabe? This festival may interest you, and surprisingly, several famous writers will attend. (Now if only famous publishers would attend!). Center for the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. more
InsideOut: The Museum School Sale	11/18 – 11/22	Boston Metro
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. 230 The Fenway, Boston, MA. more
Star Wars in Concert	11/14	Boston Metro
For $35, you can see the original actor who played C3PO and listen to Star Wars music. Good idea? You decide. Boston, MA. more
The Art of Fire @ Peabody-Essex Museum	11/14 – 11/15	North Shore
There’s never a bad time to visit the Peabody-Essex Museum. Well, maybe during the Salem Halloween crunch. But post-crunch, they’ll have artists showing how to work glass with fire. FIIIIIIIRRREE. Peabody-Essex Museum, Salem, MA. more
Ho Ho Holidays
Edaville Railroad’s Christmas Festival of Lights	11/13 – 1/3	South Shore
I’m trying to hold back the Xmas stampede another couple of weeks but I just can’t! I saw my first Salvation Army ringer today. And the first “holiday lights” display in New England begins this week. 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. I don’t think you’ll see Jesus at all. Come at night and take a 20-minute train ride, or ride the ferris wheel our carousel. They have 7 million lights, and fireworks every Friday night in December. 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. Pine Street, Carver, MA.877-EDAVILLE. more
Recurring Events
Out on the Edge Festival	10/25 – 11/15	Boston Metro
This ‘festival’ is mainly a series of performances, but they’ll have several post-show audience discussions and events to socialize at. Theatre, a satire of TV news, a comedy about beauty pageants, a costume contest, and lots of gay frivolity, wink wink. Various Places, Boston, MA. more
Boston Jewish Film Festival	11/4 – 11/15	Boston Metro
Yet another film festival continues. Plenty of the films involve a director talk. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more
Holiday Murder Mystery at the Astors’ Beechwood Mansion	11/6 – 11/27	Rhode Island
The Astor’s Beechwood Mansion is the only Newport destination that re-enacts the Victorian era with live actors. I’ve always wanted to check this out! Reserve in advance. Astors’ Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. more
1627 Harvest Dinner @ Plimoth Plantation	11/7 – 11/28	South Shore
Plimoth Plantation invites you to join a re-enactment of the original Thanksgiving dinner, with authentic foods, table manners, and hymn singing. Nov 8, 15, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29 at 5:30pm. Reserve in advance. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. more