December 2006 Archives

Hi!

I forgot to mention that if you do zip out to Springfield's Bright Nights, make sure to visit the Forest Park Zoo beforehand (which is open during school holidays, which I think means this week) or some of the museums. All that stuff closes at 4pm, so arrive early and make a whole day of it.

I saw the Dr. Seuss garden in Springfield and it's about 20 statues, cool but definitely not a draw if you are not already in Springfield. The science museum was pretty good, and you get to crash asteroids into the Earth via a simulation.

-Johnny

Hi everyone,

Happy non-denominational capitalist gift-giving holiday. Here's what's happening in New England.

The weird event of the week is Bollywood / The Bhangra Year-End Party. Dec 29th at The Rack, http://www.therackboston.com. The Rack, 24 Clinton St, Boston, MA. It's basically a DJ dance party featuring films from India's version of Hollywood. Bhangra is a kind of cultural dance, I think.

Not weird enough? How about Moby Dick - The Marathon? It happens at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, in New Bedford, MA, on Jan 3rd, which is next Wednesday. http://www.whalingmuseum.org. Get this. People gather and listen to a nonstop reading of Herman Melville's classic, Moby Dick. It takes 25 hours.

Still not weird enough? OK, how about the Polar Bear Club? Easton's Beach, Memorial Blvd, Newport RI. Basically, insane people jump into the surf with bathing suits on when it's friggin' freezing. Awesome. Go to attend or just to cheer them on. users.ids.net/~cwwright. There's no local club in Massachusetts that I could find, but there's another one in NH.

Holiday lights continue to at least Dec 31st everywhere, and sometimes to Jan 1st and beyond. I've been to several. Edaville's is awesome, http://www.edaville.com. Springfield's is number two and definitely worth seeing, http://www.brightnights.org. I know Springfield sounds awfully far away but it's really about 90 minutes, the same as Edaville. Lookout Farm and Stone Zoo (see last post, or Google it) were only OK and only worth seeing if you're in the area. The animals at Stone Zoo were a great concept in theory, but in practice about two-thirds were snuggled up out of sight to stay warm and the other third were poorly lit.

Because I mentioned do-it-yourself crafts last week, my friend Joan recommends ArtBeat, the Creativity Store in Arlington. If you have kids, they can churn out good stuff that you don't want to secretly dump in the trash the next day. They have walk-in studios on the weekends, but call first. www.artbeatonline.com.

So, what's happening New Years Eve and day?

Andrew "Dice" Clay is performing at the Comedy Connection, Dec 31. http://www.comedyconnectionboston.com.

The big event that everyone should attend is First Night Boston, Dec 31, http://www.firstnight.org. Basically, you buy one ticket for dozens of dance, music, participatory events. It's all in the Back Bay area (near Copley Square). With a little planning, you don't have to walk too much in the cold and it's a great time. You can skip out to go to a private party, or go to one in the Hynes, which is usually so-so.

Also, you don't have to pay to see the parade, First Night Grand Procession. Dec 31. http://www.firstnight.org. From Hynes Convention Center to Boston Common, starting at 7pm. Dress warmly.

First Night Boston is replicated North, South, and West of the city. North: Beverly’s New Year 2007, http://www.beverlymainstreets.org/welcome.html. South: First Night Quincy, http://www.ci.quincy.ma.us. West: First Night Worcester, http://www.firstnightworcester.org.

There are so many bars and dance clubs putting on New Years Eve parties that it is impossible really to list them all. Pick up a copy of the Phoenix or Improper Bostonian, or go to http://newyearsboston.com. However, since my job as an editor is to spare you the trouble, I have picked out which ones seem to be the sexiest.

-- Spirit of Boston New Year's Cruise. Dec 31. Commonwealth Pier, Boston. Call NOW for reservations. See the fireworks from a ship. 617-748-1450. http://www.spiritcitycruises.com/bo/special_cruises.jsp

-- The Resolution Ball, Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA. It's a young professional event, which is secret code for singles, black tie optional, Boston's longest-running New Years' Eve gala, dinner included, cocktails, dancing. Dec 31. http://www.bostoneventguide.com/events/nye.htm

-- New Years Ball James Bond 007 Style, http://newyearsboston.com/2007-from-boston-with-love.php. What better than to wear a tux or an evil spy dress.

Then beginning on January 1st, First Night Boston activities will continue, but they will be lame.

Also go to "First Day Free" at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum. Apparently January 1st is free. The museum is weird, but good, and yes, they do have a garden.

Starting in January is the Independent Activities Period at MIT. It's when students, staff, and faculty all volunteer to run workshops, classes, festivals, and movie marathons for each other. It runs all throughout January but you should check out the website soon because some events require a sign-up. It is generally open to "the community" if you're not at MIT don't feel excluded. http://www.mit.edu/iap. Snowball fight, learn Tai Chi, participate in making the world's largest matzah ball, or naming the largest number ever named. Or attend "charm school", and learn your manners.

More ideas, how about going to a bar named The Liquor Store, to ride Boston's only mechanical bull? http://www.liquorstoreboston.com. 25 Boylston Pl, Boston, MA. 617-357-6800. b/w Charles & Tremont St. No hats, sneakers, workboots, athletic wear. No ripped, torn or baggy jeans. No shorts, sandals or t-shirts. 9pm-2am Fri & Sat. Expect long lines, so arrive early.

Last week I mentioned the Concord Museum and the National Heritage Museum, and then I visited both, so here's the report. The Concord Museum is not really worth a special trip. The National Heritage Museum rocks, and it's free.

Or drop into the Drum Connection for some participatory drumming. http://www.drumconnection.com. Brighton.

This would be a good time to pick up a hobby. How about learning glassblowing, see http://www.diabloglassandmetal.com in Boston. Or learn pottery, see http://www.mudflat.org in Somerville. Or learn to bellydance, see http://www.dancecomplex.org, in Cambridge. Or learn to tie balloon animals, see http://www.kidstimetogo.com in Charlton, MA. No, I don't know where I get this stuff, either. :)

January 2nd is Gaming Night at Exploit Boston. http://www.exploitboston.com. It's at Soul Fire, 182 Harvard Avenue in Allston. They bring: the board games. You bring: you. Come for dinner at 7pm and stay for the board games.

Speaking of games, there is always something super-geeky happening at Pandemonium, the sci-fi bookstore which is now in Central Square, Cambridge. http://www.pandemoniumbooks.com.

Have a great week!

-Johnny

I got this late-breaking news:

-- All-Night Israeli Dance Marathon, MIT, Walker Gym, 142 Mem Drive, http://mit.edu/fdc, Dec 24th

-- Bollywood / Bhangra Year-End Party, The Rack, 24 Clinton St, Boston. 617-725-1051. http://www.therackboston.com. Dec 29

Also, so I suggested buying theatre tickets, but didn't say which theater events are coming up.

-- Wicked, www.wickedthemusical.com, October 2007

-- Dirty Rotten Scoundels, http://www.dirtyrottenscoundrelsthemusical.com, March 2007

-- Oliver Twist, http://www.amrep.org, Feb 2007

-- The Santaland Diaries, this December 2006 only! www.artsboston.org

-- The Spitfire Grill, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Jan-Feb 2007

-- CATS, Feb 2007, www.artsboston.org

I got this late-breaking news:

-- All-Night Israeli Dance Marathon, MIT, Walker Gym, 142 Mem Drive, http://mit.edu/fdc, Dec 24th

-- Bollywood / Bhangra Year-End Party, The Rack, 24 Clinton St, Boston. 617-725-1051. http://www.therackboston.com. Dec 29

Also, so I suggested buying theatre tickets, but didn't say which theater events are coming up.

-- Wicked, www.wickedthemusical.com, October 2007

-- Dirty Rotten Scoundels, http://www.dirtyrottenscoundrelsthemusical.com, March 2007

-- Oliver Twist, http://www.amrep.org, Feb 2007

-- The Santaland Diaries, this December 2006 only! www.artsboston.org

-- The Spitfire Grill, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Jan-Feb 2007

-- CATS, Feb 2007, www.artsboston.org

Here's wat up yo my homie for this week in the world of activities.

Midweek, Thu Dec 14, check out the Weekly Dig's Annual Holiday Shindig. The Weekly Dig is a local events magazine and I bet their bash will be fun, even if they are having trouble getting a lead band (which I assume is why the lead band is a "secret"). It's free, but its a fundraiser. Anyone want to do the math on that for me? Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St. Boston, MA. 617-426-7700

Now on to the weekend. By far the weirdest event of the week is the Santa Speedo Run, Dec 16th, which is when a lot of men dressed like Santa except NAKED get to go on a run. It's for charity. Oh, and they're not really naked they're wearing santa beards and speedos. You just know you have to be at this one. The Big Easy, 1 Boylston Place. Boston, MA. 617-351-7000. Registration at 12pm. Run 2-3pm. Then post-run celebration.

Also weird, the Illuminations Tour in Somerville. Dec 16. You take a trolley tour for 45 minutes around to Somerville's most decked out holiday houses. I am guessing that it's fun and a nice excuse to hang out in Davis Square for an evening. Catch a show at JohnnyD's. http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/programs/illuminations or check out nearby Tu Y Yo which is supposedly the best Mexican Restaurant around, or Red Bones which is supposedly the best BBQ around.

Or buy some inexpensive art, at the Nave Gallery Affordable Art Sale, to Dec 17, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse Blvd, Somerville, MA. Thu-Sun only.

Also catch Pablo Francisco, at the Comedy Connection. As you may know, the Comedy Connection, which is near or in Faneuil Hall, is the one comedy spot that draws in stars of world and nation-level prominence. This time it's Pablo Francisco. This guy is hilarious. Dec 15. Comedy Connection, 245 Quincy Market Place, Boston, MA. 617-248-9700. Seriously, I see ads for the comedy connection all the time and I usually ignore 'em. Search for his name on YouTube and you'll see what I mean. He does great voice impressions.

Now some merchant events. Thu Dec 14th, it's "Shop Inman By Moonlight". Refreshingly, this yet another merchant event does not try to disguise itself as an arts show. And it may be weird enough to at least stop by and check it out. Hot cider, wandering carolers, fortune teller, free soaks in hot tub (bring bathing suit) at Urban Oasis, refreshments.

Also it's the Mad Dash at Green Street Gallery. They're closing this gallery, so cheap buys at $150 each of art. Next year it will be Axiom, Inc. Dec 16. http://www.greenstreetgallery.org/lastdash.html. 141 Green Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, (617) 522-0000.

Also weird, the Bazaar Bizarre is supposed to be an edgy crafts fair and it looks interesting; they even have entertainment. That would be good because I went to the SoWa and Fort Point holiday markets last weekend and they were both lacklustre. The Cultural Survival Bazaar totally rocked though and I will remind you about it next year. Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, MA. http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/boston.html.

I promised you some caroling. OK, this is the best I could find. PLEASE -- send me more if you know of any. It's hard to tell in advance whether these are pure Christian carolers or whether they'll make some attempt to be diverse.

Holiday caroling with the Loose Canon Chorale. Dec 17. http://www.carolingmob.org. Jackson Square T Stop, Large mob open to all to join. 4pm. RSVP appreciated.

Carol Singing & Poetry @ Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Dec 16, http://www.mountauburn.org. 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-547-7105. 1pm. Free.

Finally, Jingle Bell Rock Karoake, Dec 19th, at the Milky Way, 403 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. 617-524-3740. The Milky Way is supposed to have the best karaoke night in Boston because they have a live band rather than a DJ. Oh, and Santa will make an appearance.

Here are some new ideas for you for Winter. Keep in mind you have to deal with Winter all the way through late March so don't get all your complaining done the first week it gets cold. You have to stretch it out, ok? In fact, let's hope it snows; I have four ski lift tickets to Mt. Wachusett that time out this weekend so I'm going even if they only have one snowmaking run open. :)

I did a whole study of spas in the region and these popped up as my personal picks. Makes a great gift. I don't accept any money if you were wondering so these really ARE my personal picks, not some kind of ad space.

-- Giuliano Spa (Boston), http://www.g2ospasalon.com, 338 Newbury St, Boston, MA. 617-262-2220

-- Larry Barron (Boston), http://www.lbspa.com, 699 East Broadway Street, Boston, MA. 617-269-7699.

-- Le Pli Day Spa (Cambridge), http://www.premierspacollection.com/spas/spas.php?spa=lepli, 5 Bennett Street, Cambridge, 617 547-4081

-- Paradise Day Spa (Cambridge), http://www.geocities.com/paradisedayspa/hampshirestreetcambridge.html, 90 Hampshire St, Cambridge, 617 864-4253

-- Urban Oasis (Cambridge), http://www.urbanoasiscambridge.com, 243 Hampshire StCambridge, MA, 617-491-0176, Private two person tub for 30 minutes for $38.

Where do I go to rent a hot tub? Spas tend to not rent hot tubs. Urban Oasis was the only one I could find in the whole metro area. I called a bunch and got the same answer. However, the Charles Hotel in Cambridge has rooms with hot tubs. http://www.charleshotel.com. 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-864-1200.

Finally, check out the Boston Poetry Slam. OK, I know it sounds sort of stupid. But I caught a little at First Night Boston last year and it was terrific. Basically it isn't just reading poems, it's acting out the poems -- a real performance. This is every Wednesday night at the Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, from 8pm to sometimes after midnight. (617) 354-2685.

Continuing theatre: I saw the Silent Night of the Lambs and it was well-done but more like an excellent amateur group than a big bucks full theatre production. So check it out, but only if you like drag queens. To Dec 23rd. http://www.golddustorphans.com. 1256 Bolyston Street, Boston, MA. 866-811-4111.

Continuing theatre: (use Google or see previous posts), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Wilbur Theatre to Dec 31; Avner the Eccentric: Exceptions to Gravity to Dec 23 (I saw this guy and he's great but sort of a kids thing); The Nutcracker at the Opera House to Dec 23; Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant to Dec 16 at the BCA; STOMP at the Colonial Theatre to Dec 17 (I also saw this a few years ago, good stuff!); Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes to Dec 29, at the Wang Theater; The Reduced Shakespeare Company in Completely Hollywood (abridged) to Dec 17th at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell (recommend); and the Urban Nutcracker to Dec 17 at John Hancock Hall, 180 Berkeley St, Boston.

A long-distance heads up on some stuff coming up:

-- Oliver Twist, February 17 - March 24, 2007, http://www.amrep.org/oliver/

-- Cats, Feb. 20 - Feb 25, 2007, Opera House-Boston

-- Lord Of The Dance, Jan. 26 - 28, 2007, Opera House-Boston

-- A Midsummer Night's Dream (perf.), Feb 1 - Mar 3, BCA

That ought to hold you for a week. Have fun!

-Johnny

Hey-o

Woops, Chez Vous, the rollerskating event is TONIGHT, Wed Dec 6th.

And the link for Silent Night of the Lambs is http://www.golddustorphans.com.

I got a little carried away there.

While I have your attention, breaking news... Gyrohazard is a modern dance performance at MIT, I know nothing about it but like the name. Little Kresge Theater at MIT, Thu 8pm, Fri 8pm, Sat 4pm & 8pm, Sun 2pm.

Also, Children of Eden continues. I saw it last week, it is a good effort and worth seeing. Is it a fully fledged bible story that will convert you to Christianity? No, it is sort of a remake, a "Batman Begins" for Adam & Eve & Noah & his Ark. So it's suitable for those with heavy religion and suitable for those who don't. Ultimately it manages to reconcile maybe tasting the tree of knowledge ain't so bad after all, while being respectful of religion but acknowledging that the Old Testament God was kind of a spoiled brat. See it. http://web.mit.edu/mtg.

-Johnny

Hi everyone,

Here's the scoop on what's coming up this week in New England.

-Johnny
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The weird event of the week is the "All Skate" Benefit Night. It's rollerskating for all ages, at Chez Vous, 11 Hoades St, Dorchester, MA. If you haven't tried it since you were a kid, you need to get out there. 617-825-6877.

I managed to find some Holiday Caroling, otherwise known as Christmas Caroling. Try the Holiday Sing with the Handel & Hayden Chorus. Dec 9. At Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA. 617-266-3605. Sing holiday carols and classical pieces. 3pm. Others are coming up in the next two weeks. Please email me with additions!

Finally, possibly the hippest and trendiest museum, the ICA, Institute for Contemporary Art, is moving and holding a 12-hour free opening celebration on Dec 10th. Generally speaking, I have heard that most museum exhibitions are free on opening day. Thanks to cthulia for that tip. Dec 10, 9am-9pm, and Snappy Dance Theatre performs at 3pm. 100 Northern Avenue on Boston’s waterfront, adjacent to Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant.

Also weird, Silent Night of the Lambs, a holiday-themed horror theatre show, at MACHINE, 1256 Boylston Street (behind Fenway Park). Now thru Dec 23. It appears to be a mock horror, so it is really a comedy, and basically a good alternative to seeing Dicken's A Christmas Carol for the 20th time. Although you know what, a friend dragged me to see A Christmas Carol a couple of years ago (it was a surprise so I was not unable to scream and object beforehand) and it was pretty good. So don't get jaded.

Or, check out the Pilobolus Dance Troupe, Dec 8-10, Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. 800-447-7400. $42-60. They are acrobats who believe in big pig piles of people. Or pyramids, whatever.

You may have heard of the Upright Citizens Bridgade Touring Company. Several people from SNL and MadTV have come out of the real thing in NYC and they've been bragging about it ever since. Now their touring wing comes to Boston, on Dec 8th. Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston, MA. http://www.greatscottboston.com.

The Urban Nutcracker is a new age re-interpretation of the ballet classic. Dec 8-17, http://www.backbayeventscenter.com. John Hancock Hall, 180 Berkeley St, Boston.

It's too cold for events based on real culture, but the holiday gift-giving has merchants in a frenzy, so we're able to enjoy a little entertainment at their expense. And maybe buy something too.

Also the season brings a number of art sales.

Let's start with the students. Dec 6-7, is the MassArt Annual Holiday Sale, Tower Building Lobby, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA. 617-879-7710. 10am-7pm. The MIT Student Art Association Holiday Sale is Dec 6, MIT Lobby 10, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 617-253-7019. The Museum of Fine Arts December Sale is Dec 6-7, 230 The Fenway, Boston, MA, http://www.smfa.edu.

Going upscale to professional, I recommend the Fort Point Open Studios, Dec 8-9, Boston. http://www.fortpointarts.org. Throughout the year there are maybe 30 local area arts festivals and open studios that are basically marketplaces. The Fort Point one is arguably the best, because they have so many true professionals. The SoWa Holiday Market is sure to be good, too, Dec 9-10, Catholic High School Gymnasium, Union Park St, Boston, MA. 617-481-2257. Dec 9, 10-8, Dec 10, 10-6. Admission: $5.

Now on to the more commercial. Festival Noir (Afrocentric Art Show) is at the Hynes Convention Center, Dec 9-10, http://www.festivalnoir.net. And Faneuil Hall will have bellringers every Saturday.

Since I mentioned rollerskating, here are the rollerskating places around Boston to entertain you. Just as with bowling, always call ahead because often they will be closed for a private party.

-- Chez Vous Disco Rink, http://www.cvboston.com, 11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester, MA. 617 825-6877.

-- Roller Palace, http://www.rollerpalace.net, 130 Sohier Road, Beverly, MA. 978-927-4242.

-- Roller World, http://www.roller-world.com, 425R Broadway, Saugus. 781-231-1111. This place is the least convenient. Tuesdays & Saturdays ballroom and line dancing 7:30-11pm. Fridays 7-11pm teen dancing, no skating.

-- Skateland, http://www.skateland.com, 19 Railroad Avenue, Bradford, MA. 978 372-3050.

Ongoing events, see previous posts at http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com for more info: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to Dec 31, Avner the Eccentric: Exceptions to Gravity to Dec 23, The Nutcracker Dec 24-30, The Enchanted Village (Christmas Display) to Dec 31. And the Scientology thing is definitely a parody, so I've read. STOMP to Dec 17th. Radio City Christmas Spectacular to Dec 29. The Reduced Shakespeare Company in Completely Hollywood (abridged) to Dec 17.