Winter Fest, Japan & China, Beatles Sing-along, Maple Syrup tapping, SF Movie Marathon, and Surrealist Night

I have an extra ticket to see Sleep No More this Friday, January 22, at 7pm. See the description below and contact johnny@wheelquestions.org to come along with our group of five. It’s supposed to be the most amazing theatre in Boston this year, or possibly ever.

Also, did you know that I have an art project? It’s called Wheel Questions, and I’m writing a book. I’m looking for some volunteers to read and comment on sections as they come out. Please write me.

Welcome to the Week in Weird! Here are this week’s top items, and click to see the complete Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events.

MIT Bad Ideas Competition 1/22 – 1/24 Boston Metro Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
The event of the week is the Bad Ideas Competition at MIT. Students are given funding to build wacky outdoor structures, like a small roller coaster. Go watch or take part!
East Campus, Ames Street, Cambridge, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Newburyport Winter Carnival 1/23 North Shore Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
This festival looks more like a winner! There’s no shopping mall involved. They just got a little confused naming the local park. It features horse-drawn hayrides, skating on the pond, sledding, and a “human dog sled race”! 10:30am-4:30pm.
Bartlett Mall (which is really a park), Newburyport, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Experience the Way of Tea – Japanese Tea Ceremony 1/23 Boston Metro Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
Also at MIT, as part of their annual arts month, learn new social skills at this formal tea ceremony. 2-3pm. Free but RSVP in advance.
Mezzanine Lounge W20 (Student Center), 84 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Ipswich Chinese New Year Celebration 1/23 North Shore Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
Festivals are few in January, but here’s one, several weeks too early for Chinese New Year. See a lion dance and taiwanese drum performance, then get to try it yourself. Snow date the next day. 3-4:30pm.
Ipswich Performing Arts Center, 130 High St, Ipswich, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Beatles Sing-Along in Brookline 1/24 Boston Metro Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
What’s the only way to make a high school concert more painful? Let the audience sing along! Well… since this Beatles Sing-Along takes places the Brookline Music School, it’s probably on-key. Give it a shot! 2pm.
Brookline Music School, 25 Kennard Rd, Brookline, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Somerville Maple Syrup Project (Tree Tapping) 1/21 Boston Metro Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
I really want to see this! They tap actual maple trees and you get to help! Meet near Tufts University main library at 3pm. Boildown event March 12-14 all day at the Somerville Community Growing Center.
Meet at Professors Row & College Ave, Somerville, MA.617-628-9988. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Rock-paper-scissors Championship 1/27 Boston Metro
Also in Somerville, test your mettle at the ultimate psych-out game: Rock Paper Scissors. And this time, you’re doing it for prizes. What I want to know is, how can they stretch such a rapid sport into an entire evening’s entertainment? 6:30pm. $5. 21+.
PA’s Lounge, 345 Someville Ave, Somerville, MA.617-776-1557. see details on the complete Johnny’s List

And a lot more this week at the Complete Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events, including:

Surrealist Nite with Roger Miller, Bigfoot Stomp: A Snowshow Hike, Welcome to Our House’ A Living History Tour, Fried Rice Iron Chef, Annual Science Fiction Marathon @ MIT LSC, Movie Magic, Free Science Talk & Exhibition @ HMNH, Burn Your New Year’s Resolutions: erotic mistakes and amorous misadventures, Winterfest Weekends @ Fruitlands Museum, Sock Hop to benefit the homeless, Hot Chocolate Tasting, Integration Bee, Boston Wine Expo, National Hug Day, Sleep No More, Sleigh rides & smores at Point of View Farm, Kimball Farm Horse-Draw Sleigh Rides, Breakdance Classes, MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period), Concord Museum is Free, Atwater-Donnelly, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Free performance of Commedia Dell’arte, and more.

Want this weekly? subscribe and see Wheel Questions, too. Send encouragement & ideas to johnny@weirdbostonevents.org.