The year in events starts in the Spring with outdoor festivals, and ends in September, although we have Halloween to keep us going. During the low period, now and in early 2009, I'm going to add a few museums and regularly recurring events for you to sample.
I'm going to start a new habit of writing the blog on Sunday, because I have a spot on a radio show on Sundays now. I will sometimes add a Thursday update if there's some amazing addition I need to get out.
-Johnny
| The Week in Weird | |||
| Carousel on Boston Common | Oct 25 - Nov 9 | Boston, MA | |
| The event of the week is that there's a carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond, and they're calling it a "trial" which means if it's popular perhaps they'll make it permanent. Only $2. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more | |||
| Election Day | Nov 4 | Everywhere | |
| Yep, it's election day. Can't find your polling station? Try this site, which doesn't list polling hours but they're all 7am to 8pm, with a few opening as early at 5:45am. Various Balloting Stations, Everywhere. more | |||
| Election Night" @ Improv Boston | Nov 4 | Cambridge, MA | |
| As I mentioned last week, there's a night of improv comedy in reaction to and during election results. From 8pm to last call. Food, drink, prizes, live music, comedy. Improv Boston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA.617-576-1253. more | |||
| Election Night Watch Party @ King's | Nov 4 | Boston, MA | |
| Here's another! King's has free bowling and billiards after 9pm and the entire place is studded with televisions that will be set to poll results. There's no information on their website, but I called to confirm this. 50 Dalton Street, Boston, MA.(617) 266-2695. more | |||
| Legio III Cyrenaica Roman Legion @ Higgins Armory | Nov 8 | Worcester, MA | |
| Now on to the weekend. 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 | |||
| Allston/Brighton Open Studios (Boston Open Studios) | Nov 8 - Nov 9 | Allston, MA | |
| 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. 12-6pm. 1 Braintree Street, Allston, MA.617.254.3333.. more | |||
| Roslindale Open Studios | Nov 8 - Nov 9 | Roslindale, MA | |
| This one is clearly the open studios to go to. It's spread all across Roslindale so you get a nice Fall walk, and they're having a few events including live music and a "musical instrument petting zoo". 12-6pm. See website for map, Roslindale, MA. more | |||
| 1627 Harvest Dinner @ Plimoth Plantation | Nov 1 - Nov 29 | Plymouth, MA | |
| Plimoth Plantation is having a re-enactment of the original Thanksgiving dinner, and it's not what you think. You'll learn about the real foods and manners of the Pilgrims, and there will be hymn singing you can join in on. Nov 8, 15, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29 at 5:30pm. Reserve in advance. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.(508) 746-1622. more | |||
| Shaker Supper @ Hancock Shaker Village | Nov 8 - Dec 27 | Hancock, MA | |
| A similar experience is available at Hancock Shaker Village, but it's a smaller attraction that I would only recommend if you feel youv'e "done" Plimoth Plantation. You get a tour by re-enactors, an authentic dinner, and a cappella Shaker music from the 1830s. Nov 8, 29, and Dec 27. 34 Lebanon Mountain Rd., Hancock, MA. more | |||
| A Quilters' Gathering | Nov 6 - Nov 9 | Nashua, NH | |
| This is the largest annual quilting show in New England, with competition entries from all over the world. I know what you're thinking, that it's probably boring. I've actually been to a quilting show and it was fun with the right attitude. The quilts are genuinely works of art, not grids of plaid. Sheraton Hotel, Nashua, NH. more | |||
| Hampton Beach Holiday Kite Fly | Nov 8 | Hampton, NH | |
| While you're in New England, stop by this small-sized kite flying event. It's harder to fly a kite than you might think, and you can meet and learn from some experts. They'll probably sell kites on-site. Hampton Beach, Hampton, NH. more | |||
| Armenian Festival | Nov 8 - Nov 9 | Cranston, RI | |
| I've never 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. Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston, RI.(401) 831-6399. more more | |||
| Day of the Dead Festival @ Forest Hills Cemetery | Nov 2 | Jamaica Plain, MA | |
| As I mentioned last week, the Day of the Dead festival is tonight. It's a must-see. Just go. 4-6pm.Rain or shine. 95 Forest Hills Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA.617.524.0128. more | |||
| Good Vibrations Amateur Erotic Film Festival | Oct 30 - Nov 7 | Brookline, MA | |
| I tried to save this for last, but it's certainly strange. This "toy" store is sponsoring a festival of films made by local amateurs at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with a pre-party in the store itself. They have a reputation for being tasteful, um, so I've heard. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more | |||
| Midnight Seduction Flirting Party | Nov 8 | Cambridge, MA | |
| Speaking of tasteful sexuality, the Adult Site Moderator of the Boston Phoenix said that Midnight Seduction party "was really the best. I was very pleasantly surprised by it and it was very interesting and fun... a very good way for people to get a taste of it and to see how far they’d like to go with everything." Wha'd'ya know. The next one is Saturday. RSVP in advance. more | |||
| Also Fun | |||
| Boston Jewish Film Festival | Nov 5 - Nov 16 | Brookline, MA | |
| Also at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, but I'm sure much more tasteful, is the Boston Jewish Film Festival. But wait! Their home page has two nudes hugging. Obviously I need to visit the Coolidge Corner theatre more often. Sadly, they will not be showing "Yentl". Plenty of the films involve a director talk. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more | |||
| National Novel Writing Month | Nov 1 - Nov 30 | Everywhere | |
| Do you want to write a book? Join other procrastinators and break through by doing it all in just one month. (Don't worry, you can revise it later.) They'll have several local events for writers to meet each other, be inspired, and even work side-by-side in a "you can do it" environment. Check Their Slow Website, Everywhere. more more | |||
| Harvest Feast (Belly Dance Festival) | Nov 9 | Arlington, MA | |
| Every year there's a bellydancing 'festival', which seems to be simply a performance, but it seems interesting, so I'm including it at the bottom. 7pm. The Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA. more | |||
| The Biggest Zombie Story Competition Ever | Nov 1 - Nov 8 | Cambridge, MA | |
| There doesn't seem to be an actual physical event, but you can win a month of free food if you win this story-writing contest. Online only?, Cambridge, MA. more | |||
| Christmas Festival & Gingerbread House Competition | Nov 7 - Nov 9 | Boston, MA | |
| We live nearly 10% of our lives in a "Christmas Land" that merchants stretch from Thanksgiving to the holiday. Except for a few mavericks who want us to start shopping right after Halloween. Who will be first? It's an actual Xmas Festival at a major tradeshow venue in Boston. It's hideously commerical, sort of the opposite of an "open studios" event, but they will have a gingerbread contest with giant displays. 12-7pm. See website for coupon. Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA. more | |||
| Recurring Events | |||
| Davis Farmland & Megamaze (& Night Maze) | Sep 2 - Nov 9 | Sterling, MA | |
| This is the last weekend for Davis Farmland's giant corn maze and I urge you to check it out. It's truly an amazing experience. 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more | |||
| FirstWorksProv | Oct 2 - Nov 9 | Providence, RI | |
| This series of performances and gallery exhibitions should in no way be considered a 'festival'. That being said, a number of the concerts look interesting. Various Places, Providence, RI. more more | |||
| Canstruction | Oct 20 - Nov 7 | Boston, MA | |
| What does Food Bank, the charity, have a lot of? Canned food! What can you do with cans? Build lots of towers! Engineers & architects compete to build buildings and sculptures. The Boston Design Center, One Design Center Place, Boston, MA. more | |||
| Out on the Edge Festival | Oct 18 - Nov 8 | Boston, MA | |
| 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 | |||
| Fuller Museum of Art | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Brockton, MA | |
| The Fuller Museum is a wonderful discovery and proof that you can find world class delights all over New England, not just in metro Boston. They specialize in crafts, both locally and from all over, both ancient and modern. They're free and have a social on Wednesday evenings. 455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA.508-588-6000. more | |||
| John F. Kennedy Museum | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Boston, MA | |
| Alongside the library and a world class stage, where they have many events, is a great museum worth seeing about the Kennedy presidency. Columbia Point, Boston, MA.(617) 514-1600. more | |||
| Larz Anderson Auto Museum (Museum of Transporation) | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Brookline, MA | |
| One of the best auto museums in the world is here in Brookline. Throughout the Spring and Summer they have a number of outdoor festivals on the lawn with cars both ancient and modern. In the winter, there's an ice skating rink nearby. Give it a shot! 15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.(617) 522-6547. more | |||
| Performance | |||
| November | Oct 17 - Nov 15 | Boston, MA | |
| November is a political comedy by David Mamet about running for election and what politicans will do to win. It looks good. Lyric Stage Company, 140 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA.617-585-5678. more | |||
| The Communist Dracula Pageant | Oct 18 - Nov 9 | Cambridge, MA | |
| This one looks interesting! It's a historical fiction set in ancient and modern Romania. You'll learn something real about 20th century communism and the 15th century inspiration for the Dracula story. Mass Ave & Arrow St, Cambridge, MA.617-547-8300. more | |||
| The Lieutenant of Inishmore | Oct 26 - Nov 16 | Watertown, MA | |
| A funny thriller about a terrorist and his cat. The first 60 people to arrive in costume on Oct 31 either get in free or get a discounted ticket. New Repertory Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA.617-923-8487. more | |||
| The Merchant of Venice | Nov 6 - Dec 7 | Boston, MA | |
| The Shakespeare classic. Actually, few people including me have seen this one. I guess when they get tired of Shakespeare's popular fare, they just want to do more Shakespeare. (You know, there are other playwrights besides Shakespeare.). Midway Studios, Fort Point Channel, Boston, MA. more | |||
| Rock 'n' Roll | Nov 7 - Dec 7 | Boston, MA | |
| Speaking of which, Tom Stoppard is sort of a modern Shakespeare, having written the script for the movie "Shakespeare in Love" and the play "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead". Now here's his Broadway hit about Eastern Europe, rock music, and history. BU Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. more | |||
Like this blog? Add your email at johnnyslist.blogspot.com to get it weekly, and see my spreadsheet of 2000 New England Activities. Send me encouragement and ideas at JohnnysAlwaysOn@yahoo.com. Get inspired at Cross Into The Abyss, my other blog.
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