Hi all,
A lot of small towns are hosting a mini music festival this week. I recommend going but plan something else in the area to do as well. And think of it more like a day in the park than attending expecting the event itself to provide all the entertainment.
Here's some weird. How about taking a trip in a restored WWII B-17 bomber? There's an air show at the Lawrence Municipal Airport, Main Terminal, in Lawrence, MA from Aug 17-19. It costs only $400. http://www.b17.org/tour/
Or go skydiving which is more like $250. Newport, RI (http://www.skydivenewport.com) or Orange, MA (http://www.jumptown.com) or Pepperell, MA (http://www.skyjump.com)
The strange event of the week is undoubtedly the Fetish Fair Fleamarket. If you don't know what that is, and you don't like leather, you don't want to know. Aug 18, 12-6pm at the Boston Center for the Arts, in Boston. As well as the vendors they'll also have classes. http://www.nelaonline.org/fff.htlm
The North End has a number of Italian festivals and I was wrong about what's the largest. This one is I believe. It's the Fisherman's Festival (Madonna Del Soccorso), Aug 16-19, this includes street magic and religious ceremonies. But wait, I repeat myself. Also a cheese tower building competition! The whole thing ends in a confetti display called the "Flight of the Angel". http://www.fishermansfeast.com/
Did you miss the Western Scottish Games? I went and it was great, and this one looks even better: The Maine Highland Game, Aug 18, is at Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick, ME. I've been to the venue and it's a wonderful campground by the water, bring your swimsuit. 207-688-4515. They'll have sheep herding demonstrations, a historical emcampment re-enactment, plenty of music and athletics including a "haggis hurl". Let's hope when they say hurl they mean "to toss" not "to toss up". http://www.mainehighlandgames.org
This next one sounds fantastic! I need to clone myself and get out to more of these events. You've heard of Mass MoCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Western Massachusetts. Well, they're having a Laurel & Hardy Outdoor Film event with live music. It sounds great and very old-timey. Aug 18. http://www.massmoca.org/eventdetails.php?id=300
How'd you like to sleep overnight at Plimoth Plantation, the re-enactment 1620 village on the South Shore? They are having a sleepover party Aug 18-19. See http://www.plimothplantation.com
Also weird, have you heard of disc golf? Basically it's like golf, except you're throwing a frisbee. Well, the Marshall Street Disc Golf Championship is the largest local annual event and it's Aug 18-19. They say it's "One of the largest disc golf events in the world". Leicester, MA 508-792-2764. http://www.msdgc.com/
One of the largest re-enactment events of the year is the Encampment of Revolutionary War Soldiers at Fort Taber, Aug 17-19. This is at Fort Taber Park at Clark's Point, New Bedford, MA. 508-994-3938. http://www.forttaber.org/
Obviously in the not checking their schedules category is "The Old Manse and the Civil War", Aug 18, another civil war re-enactment. And this despite the fact that the Civil War came nowhere near New England. Drilling, crafts, games. If I had to bet I would pick Fort Taber. But the Old Manse is serving ice cream!! Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA. 978-369-3909. http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/30068theoldmanseandthecivilwar.cfm
Some kind soul is giving a free bicycle tour of Boston. Bring your own bicycle, or you can rent one. Aug 18, at 11:15pm until dawn Aug 19. http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/77916
Speaking of bicycles, renting a bike is fun anytime. Rentals are about $25/day. Try Cambridge Bicycle, 259 Mass Av, or statewide listings at http://www.massbike.org. For guided Bike Tours, see http://www.bostonbiketours.com, or http://www.ciclismoclassico.com or http://www.urbanadventours.com or http://www.concordbiketours.com. For trails, see http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/1171/?200626#Lin
Another place to rent a bicycle and ride around is south of Massachusetts, the two big islands, Martha's Vinyard and Nantucket. Ride around, visit the beaches and just enjoy the surf and sun. This week there are some extra reasons to go to one or the other. First, it's Sandcastle and Sculpture Day in Nantucket, Aug 18. http://www.nantucketchamber.org
And, not that you should need an excuse to visit Martha's Vinyard, the large island to the south of Massachusetts, but they're having Fireworks in Oak Bluffs on Aug 17. http://www.mvol.com/events/75/
If you're too lazy to drive and ride the short ferry, consider flying by Cape Air, 800-352-0714, Nantucker Airlines 800-635-8787, or Island Airlines 800-248-7779. It doesn't really cost that much considering what you'd save in time and gas.
I was just at the Wenham Museum which is one of these surprisingly New Englandy museums (like the Fuller Museum!) which is in the middle of nowhere and yet they do an A+ job. They feature a 17th century home, model train sets in abundance, and more dolls than you will ever want to see in your life. So if you're crafty, and I don't mean sneaky but rather into arts & crafts, you should check out the Wenham Museum's annual crafts event, Aug 18. Apparently a lot of local artists will be showing wares and available for chat, the real draw is the colonial era games. 132 Main Street, Wenham, MA, (978) 468-2377. http://www.wenhammuseum.org/
There's a free park series in Dorchester in Franklin Park (at Playstead Field). This Aug 14 is the last date; they're featuring "OrigiNation and the O’Shea Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance and Serious Bizness featuring Ray Greene". Sounds like serious business. http://www.scidorchester.org/node/1163
On the North Shore, The Lowell Water Festival is Aug 18, also know as the Southeast Asian Water Festival. You'll see dragon boat races, a bunch of music and dance performances, and the usual cart vendors. Lowell Heritage State Park, Esplanade & Sampas Pavilion, 500 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell, MA. Looks average, but given the limited number of asian events in New England, might be worth checking out. http://www.lowellwaterfestival.org
On the flip side (the South Shore), Quincy is holding the August / Autumn Moon Festival, another Chinese celebration. Aug 19. 1500 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA. 617-472-2200. 11am-5pm. Free. Performances, music, asian food, kids activities. http://www.discoverquincy.com/calendar.htm or http://www.qari.info
Last week I mentioned Davis Farmland with their petting zoo and fantastic corn maze, at http://www.davisfarmland.com. Well, here are the other big mazes in New England. Corn Maze at the FARM Institute is on Martha's Vinyard, http://www.farminstitute.org. The Great Vermont Corn Maze, Danville, VT, http://www.vermontcornmaze.com. Parlee Farms, which also has pick-you-own fruit, http://www.parleesfarm.com in Chelmsford, MA. And a bunch more at http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/fallfoliage/l/aa082902a.htm
Speaking of the agricultural lifestyle, which is so hidden from us urbanites, the Hardwick County Fair is Aug 17-18. It's one of many agricultural fairs locally. Town Common, Rt 32A, Hardwick, MA, but the only one with a lumberjack contest! They also have hay rides, actual frog jumping my goodness, and plenty of animal exhibits. Free. http://www.hardwickfair.com
Another fair I haven't been to is the Marshfield County Fair, Aug 17-26. Marshfield, MA. Route 3A at South River St. (781) 834-6629. This one features a demolition derby, motorcycle racing, and a battle of the bands. In October they do a Haunted House too. http://www.marshfieldfair.org
Finally, the Verrill Farm Corn & Tomato Festival is Aug 18-19. 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA. 978-369-4494. Hay & pony rides, petting zoo, entertainment. http://www.verrillfarm.com
Here's an excuse to visit Cape Cod: the Onset Blues Festival, Aug 18. The Bluff, Onset, MA. 508-295-7072. http://www.onsetvillage.com
There's a Latin American Festival at Worcester City Hall, Aug 18-19. I really do try to list only the ones that have something interesting. The draw this time is their "beer garden and domino tournament". I just want to know what a beer garden is. http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2007/0801/articles/020.html
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is Aug 18. 11:30am-6pm, free. A good excuse to visit Salem, which has a fantastic visitor center and lots of walkable attractions. It's very tourist friendly. Rain date Aug 19.
The Gloucester Waterfront Festival is Aug 18-19. The usual local artists will be out selling painted clam shells. And they'll have a lobster bake and puppet shows. The real reasons to attend will be the hot air balloon rides from 5-7pm. Don't get too excited, these are short tethered balloon rides. But still fun. http://www.capeannvacations.com/festival-event.cfm?id=4&mk=3&ck=0&en=&ey=
Getting your own non-tethered balloon ride will cost you $500. See http://www.massachusettsballooning.com and make an appointment.
You can usually get less expensive rides at a festival though, especially if you call ahead to reserve. One of the last balloon events of the year is the Great Falls Balloon Festival, Aug 17-19, in Lewiston, ME which is about 2.5 hours from Boston. They'll havecarnival rides and a clam eating contest, too, although it's unclear who's doing the eat, people or giant clams. http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org
Did you know that the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a local? They've turned his house into a museum and it's been having "Arts in the Park" all summer. This one, Aug 19, from 1pm to 4pm, is outstanding because it features the poetry editor of the Atlantic Monthly and former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinksy. http://www.nps.gov/long
Also for bookworms, have you heard of Cyberspace or Cyberpunk? Then see author William Gibson who is credited with inventing the term. He's doing a book signing at the Brookline Booksmith, Aug 20, 279 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. 617-566-6660. http://www.brooklinebooksmith.com
Here's the scoop on free outdoor movies:
-- Boston (Harbor). Aug 17. The Best Years of Our Lives. http://www.bhh.com/specialeventcal.htm
-- Boston (Esplanade). Aug 17. The Wizard of Oz. http://www.wbz.com/pages/591886.php?contentType=4&contentId=618840
-- Boston (Boston Common). Aug 20. Happy Feet, at The Playstead, Franklin Park, includes a costume competition with prizes! http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/eventsannouncements.asp
-- Cambridge. Aug 15, Night at the Museum, preceded by Dario the Magician. And Aug 22, Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest, preceded by a performance of Peter Panic and the Island Breeze. http://www.cambridgema.gov/CityOfCambridgeContent/documents/FamilyNights.pdf
-- Somerville. Aug 16. North by Northwest at Seven Hills Park. http://www.townonline.com/somerville/movies/x1591224826
-- Dorchester. Aug 16. Some Elvis Presley film, probably Jailhouse Rock. http://www.bostonnatural.org/
-- Fitchburg. Aug 17. Charlotte's Web. http://www.discoverfitchburg.com/MovieList.html
-- Winchester. Aug 16. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. http://www.winyc.com/summerevents.html
-- Weymouth. Aug 16. Barnyard, 8pm. Rain date Aug 19. http://www.weymouth.ma.us/news/news.asp?id=7755
-- Onset. Aug 16. Star Wars IV. http://www.myspace.com/obmco
Continuing events, Misalliance to Sep 9 and Romeo & Juliet to Sep 16, http://www.publicktheatre.com. Chimpanzee Exhibit to Aug 28 at the Museum of Science, http://www.mos.org. Restaurant Week Boston is Aug 5-10 and Aug 12-17, http://www.restaurantweekboston.com. Provincetown Carnival continues to Aug 18, http://www.ptown.org/happenings/carnival. Cambridge Discovery Walks continue Aug 18, http://www.cambridgema.gov/historic/walks.html
Heads up, the The Three Musketeers, the musical opens next week, Aug 21-Sep 9, at the North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA. 978-232-7200. Also Wicked, sort of a revised Wizard of Oz, made into a musical, is playing Sep 12-Oct 14, http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33. Pat Benetar plays the Bank of American Pavilion Aug 18, Kelly Clarkson is Aug 16 at Mohegan Sun, and Counting Crows is somewhere, I forget. And Dance New England's "Dance Camp" is Aug 22-Sep 2 in Maine, http://www.dne.org
Next week is the two-year anniversary of Johnny's list. Back then I listed 8 events a week. These days I list 50 and it's undoubtedly the largest festivals list around. Nearly 200 people subscribe, for reasons I can't fully explain. If you've bothered to read all the way to the bottom you must be hooked. Please tell your friends! They can sign up onto the mailing list at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/johnnys-list and the home page for the blog is http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com/
Ciao baby. You're beautiful.
-Johnny
p.s. My little activities company got a mention in Mass High Tech. http://masshightech.bizjournals.com/masshightech/stories/2007/08/13/story3.html
