October 2007 Archives

Hi everyone,

Please forgive several repeating events this week as Halloween ends.

The weird event of the week is "Tomes of Terror", which is a theatre event where they re-enact what it was like to record a radio show in the 1930s, Halloween style. I went last year and it's highly recommended. Oct 29 - Oct 31. First Congregational Church of Somerville, 89 College Avenue, Somerville, MA. 617.669.4391. 7:30pm. http://www.pmrp.org

Also recommended: Frank Warren speaks about "PostSecret", Tuesday Oct 30 at 6pm at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge. http://www.harvard.com/events/pressrelease.php?id=1921

An Irish harpist is going to sing and tell ancient tales of terror at the Old South Meeting House on Halloween afternoon, October 31 from 12:15pm to 1pm. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108. (617) 482-6439. http://www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org

"Rocky Horror Picture Show" is having a special Halloween showing, with live actors dancing and singing before and during the show. Oct 31, 10pm, Loews Theatre, 11 Church St, Cambridge, MA. http://www.fullbodycast.org/

Gorefest at Improv Boston is a comedy show for Halloween with lots of blood. Fake blood. 1253 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-576-1253. Oct 31, 8pm & 10pm. http://www.improvboston.com

In the "Halloween's Not Over Yet" category, if you think vampires are hot and like to flirt, check out the Vampire Flirting Party on November 3rd in Cambridge. There are some great myspace comments from people who've attended, see http://www.myspace.com/bostonseduction

Wednesday, October 31, is Halloween. If you want to go trick-or-treating amongst a lot of merchants, try the Plymouth Spook-tacular, Oct 31, 5-7pm. http://www.explorehistoricplymouth.com/

Much better, Oct 31, apparently houses that go crazy with decorations for trick or treating are called "haunts" (as opposed to haunted houses which are theme attractions). There's a great one called The Haunted Barn, in Townsend, MA. Halloween night only. Meant for trick-or-treaters. Have a music skeleton performance. http://rewindshow.com/haunt

Salem is hosting "Hauntings on the Common", and a bunch of other events, including a witches commemorative walk on October 31. Note that none of the people accused of being a witch in 1692 were actually witches, and didn't want to be. But they still deserve commemoration. See http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/events.htm

The Wiccan Samhain Magick Circle Ceremony is a religious festival and I'm betting it's beautiful and moving. Oct 31. Salem, where else. 978-745-8668. Open to the public. Also www.festivalofthedead.com. http://www.tnw-salem.org

Are you tired of Halloween yet? Here are some off-topic events.

This is possibly my FAVORITE EVENT OF THE YEAR. It's the Day of the Dead Festival at Forest Hills Cemetery, in Jamaica Plain, Nov 2. It's a religious ceremony run by native americans, outdoors with nighttime dancing, singing, and spiritualism. You can write a note to a lost loved one and put it in their bonfire and it will float up and be received. I'm an atheist, but it's great, just go. 95 Forest Hills Avenue. 4:30-6:30pm. Rain or shine. http://www.foresthillstrust.org

Also dead, the El Dia de Los Muertos is Nov 2 at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, in Cambridge, MA. 800.511.9725. 5:30-8:30pm. Indoors. Decorations, mariachi band, dancing performances. http://www.cmacusa.org

The Scallywags are a pirate band. A music band pretending to be pirates. Come to Pirate Night, November 1, at Sally O'Brien's. Free. 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville. 9pm. Come dressed as a pirate for this free show with Boston's famous pirate punk band. http://www.sallyobriensbar.com

The Boston Jewish Film Festival is Nov 1-11, at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA and at the Museum of Fine Arts. http://www.bjff.org

National Novel Writing Month is Nov 1-30. The idea, basically, is that you write an entire novel in just one month. It should get those of you who are procrastinating off your butt. They have various socials and working parties to encourage you. Go to http://www.nanowrimo.org and see the Boston events calendar.

The Ellis Antiques Show is Nov 2-4. One of about 12 antiques shows regionally every year, but Boston Magazine thinks it's the "best". Park Plaza Hotel & Towers. 617-248-8571. http://www.ellisantiques.com

Dar Williams is a folk singer performing Nov 3, at Newburyport City Hall, in Newburyport, MA. http://www.darwilliams.com/index.php?page=calendar&display=222

Ever wanted to see medeival fighting and sword combat? Here's your chance. They're having a Historical Combat Demonstrations Day at the Higgins Armory, in Worcester. Nov 3. Re-enactors demonstrate life as a 15th century soldier, and also demonstrate sword combat. http://www.higgins.org/Calendar

Another one food event... (People!! Add more than one food to your events!!) Franklin County CiderDay is Nov 3-4. That's way out West in Greenfield, MA. Several farms in Western MA show making apple butter, all kinds of apple events and giveaways. http://www.ciderday.org

I think I'd prefer this food event. When people donate food to charity, volunteers have to sort through them and discard the spoiled foods. So they've invited engineers to come build huge stacks and sculptures from cans and turn it into a show. Canstruction is Nov 3-17, The Boston Design Center, One Design Center Place Boston, MA. http://www.canstruction.com

There are only a few train shows every year that I know about, for model train hobbyists. One is the Brockton Train Show, Nov 4, Temple at Pearl & Torrey Sts, Brockton, MA. 508-583-5810. A variety of model trains. 10am-4pm. This is the same temple that held "Cigar And Scotch Night" Oct 18, and is holding "Poker Training" on Nov 1 and "Texas Hold 'Em" on Nov 17. Awesome. How can I join this temple?!? http://www.templebethemunah.org/atrainshow.html

Continuing events and then Halloween Special below:

-- Les Miserables, Oct 23-Nov 18, http://nsmt.org

-- Macbeth to Nov 11, http://www.actorsshakespeareproject.org

-- Out on the Edge Festival to Nov 10, http://thetheateroffensive.org/oote07/index.htm

-- CSI at the Museum of Science, Boston, to Oct 31. http://www.mos.org. Wicked, to Nov 11. http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33. Paula Poundstone, Nov 2,3,6, http://www.paulapoundstone.com/cgi/calendar/bigcalendar.cgi. Van Halen, Oct 30 at the TD Banknorth Garden. David Sedaris, Nov 2nd at Boston Symphony Hall. http://www.bso.org/bso. Six Flags New England thru Oct 31. http://www.sixflags.com/newengland

Heads up, Marc Cohn plays Nov 9, http://www.somervilletheatreonline.com. The Police perform Nov 11, in Boston, http://www.ticketmaster.com and Dane Cook on Nov 17, also http://evilticketfees.com

Several haunted houses are still open! See below. If you can't read it, try http://activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls

Also I've heard rumors that the Livingston Street Terror and Haunted Acres may be open NEXT weekend, Nov 2-3. So give them a call and find out.

Don't start complaining about the cold yet. You need to make that whining last all winter so space it out.

-Johnny
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( List of Haunted Houses )

Hi!

The MIT Pumpkin Drop is Saturday Oct 27 at 11:59pm on the "Dot" next to building 54. That is quite close to the corner of Ames Street and Memorial Drive in Cambridge. Just show up and look for the crowd of students.

-Johnny

Yo,

I just heard back from the Rocky Horror people. They're actually having three shows, not one, and they are the biggest event of the year. So if there's ever a time to do Rocky Horror this is it. It's not just a movie, it's an entire dancing, singing, theatrical pre-show and running commentary.

The shows are Oct 26, 27 at 11:59pm and Oct 31 at 10pm, at the AMC Loews Theater on Church Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge. http://www.fullbodycast.org

-Johnny

Hi all,

Listen up, people! This is the week in weird! :)

If you're seeing this right away, today Sunday Oct 21, there's a "Dead Pool" event at Flat Top Johnny's in Kendall Square, Cambridge, at 8pm. It's an 18+ goth event. Pay $3 and all pool tables are free and they'll have burlesque performers serving drinks and possibly doing a routine. One Kendall Square, Building 200, Cambridge, MA. http://www.xmortis.com/deadpool/

Have you heard of Abigal Adams? The wife of former US president John Adams, she was a very involved first lady, sort of the Hillary Clinton of the day, minus the scowl. In Quincy, they're having a re-enactment of their 1764 wedding, and it should be fantastic. Thu Oct 25. Free. Thoughtfully, they have scheduled the event at 10am on a weekday for everyone's convenience. First Church of Weymouth & Adams National Historical Park, Quincy. http://www.discoverquincy.com/calendar.htm

Have you ever wanted to see Elvis perform live? Well, you can't, he's dead. However! The "Elvis of Boston" lives on. Every Thursday at 9pm. Capone's Prohibition Pub, Route 53, Weymouth, MA. That's just one town south of Quincy on the south shore. 617-254-0632. http://www.elvisofboston.com/schedule.html

What's better than Halloween? A renaissance faire celebration and pagan ritual run by the people who take Halloween seriously! The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire & Samhain Celebration is Oct 27-28, on Thorne Road in Kingston, NH. 603.755.9587. This is Southern NH not too far from Boston. Sat-Sun 10-5, with Samhain Celebration 5pm-7pm Saturday. http://www.nhrenfaire.com

The Boston Bikes Summit is Oct 21-24, is a series of lectures, and a bike trip, all about bicycling in metro areas. http://bostonbikessummit.info/

There's an artist, Frank Warren, who's thriving on the human desire for confession. He asks people to submit postcards with a secret (depicted as fancy artwork), chooses the best ones (sounds more like curating than art to me) and posts them on a blog called PostSecret. It's stunning and you should take a look at http://postsecret.blogspot.com and go to his book signing. That's Tue Oct 30 at 6pm at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge. http://www.harvard.com/events/pressrelease.php?id=1921

With so many evening Halloween activities, here's a nice one for the daytime. It's the Dorchester Open Studios, Oct 27-28, which basically is a nice excuse to walk around a local neighborhood and meet artists and see their wares. I mean, um, art. http://www.thedac.org

You've heard me rant about Plimoth Plantation, the re-enactment museums where live actors teach you about (respectively) the 1620s. Well there are two others. One is Sturbridge Village, which focuses on the 1830s. They're holding "Things That Go Bump in the Night", a night of spooky storytelling and trick or treating throughout the village. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA. (508) 347-3362. 5-9pm, Sat Oct 27. http://www.osv.org

The third one is Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH and they're having an event called "Ghosts on the Banke" Oct 26-27. 5:30pm-8pm. Free. Come trick or treat and meet ghosts and pirates and folk from the 17th century. http://www.strawberybanke.org/calendar.html

Another museum event is at The Old Manse in Concord. Oct 27, 6:30-8:30pm. As best I can figure out, it's a spooky tour where you have to solve clues and unlock an ancient mystery. The Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA. 978-369-3909. http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/124eventssearchresults.cfm

Live close to Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island? They're having "Spooky Sundays". Kids in costume enter for free. Demos of silk spinning and pumpkin carving. 11am-3pm Sunday Oct 28. http://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org

Closer to Boston, the Franklin Park Zoo's "Zoo Howl" for kids is Oct 27-28. 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA. 617-541-5466. 10am. A not-so-scary Halloween celebration for kids, because we all know that kids are more important than us adults (pout). http://www.franklinparkzoo.org

The Mass Audubon Society is also getting in on the act. Oct 27th they are having "Halloween Adventures", which is a costume event with spooky stories by a campfire and animal exhibits. Three showtimes: 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot Street, Natick, MA. 508-655-2296. http://www.massaudubon.org/NatureConnection/Sanctuaries/Broadmoor/news.php?id=533-BR07FA3&news=no&sanccode=11

Halloween Town Boston is another just kids event. It's a haunted house but a tamed down version that won't freak out little kids so much. Also it's not in the evening, it's 10am-6pm. Oct 27-28. http://www.halloweentownboston.com

OK. If you really want to go to a bar for Halloween, fine, here's a listing.The Boston Young Professionals Association (i.e. singles) is having their Annual Mayness & Madness Halloween Bash at McCann's Pub on Sat Oct 27. Buy a ticket in advance. http://www.bostonypa.com/event.asp?id=534

Much better, go see Robby Roadsteamer host a night of Halloween music, Upstairs at The Middle East, Cambridge, Oct 27, 9pm. http://www.mideastclub.com/

Much much more creative, Salem hosts a number of expensive balls for people who are really, really into costuming. The Vampires' Masquerade Ball is Thu Oct 25. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org. The Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball is Fri Oct 26. http://www.festivalofthedead.com. Hawthorne Hotel Ship of Ghouls Ball, Sat Oct 27. http://www.hawthornehotel.com. Buy tickets in advance!

Another great one, one of the mansions in Newport, RI, Belcourt Castle, is having their Halloween Ball on Oct 27. http://www.belcourtcastle.com

It's also time for the Great Pumpkin Fest at Worcester Ecotarium, one of the region's many zoos, Sat Oct 27, 10am-9pm. Rain date Oct 28. They'll have hay rides, pumpkin carving, planetarium shows, and a lot of events that seem appropriate mainly for little kids. Like me. http://www.ecotarium.org/activities/pumpkin/

Ghost stories at the Heard House (some old timey "historic" house) in Ipswich. Oct 27, 2:30pm-5pm. http://www.ipswichmuseum.net/calendardetail.php?EventID=101

Going to Salem this weekend! We are. Email me. One of the fun things we might do is the Haunted Salem Scavenger Hunt, another of the Watson Adventures activities. Basically you get a clue sheet and run around Salem "scavenging" for the answers to their questions. http://www.watsonadventures.com

In southern New Hampshire, there is a jumble of Stonehenge-like rocks which are widely regarded to be some kind of 18th or 19th century prank. Still, it's spooky and the closest we can get to having a stone circle in New England. Spirits Among the Ruins (A Paranomal Investigation) is Sat Oct 27, 6-9pm, some kind of Halloween spooky event. I'm not sure how seriously they're taking it. http://www.stonehengeusa.com/

"Spooky Skate" is at MIT on Oct 27. Dress in costume, rent some skates, go ice skating. I wasn't able to get definite information on this but most of these events are quasi-open to the public. Just act geeky and they'll wave you right in. http://web.mit.edu/savetfp

Jamaica Plain is hosting their annual "Lantern Parade", Sun Oct 28, 4:30pm. I haven't been. The event seems to involve mostly walking around with lanterns while it's not nighttime yet. 4:30pm?? http://www.spontaneouscelebrations.org/happening.html

This is crazy. There's a Boston hotel that does a regular "Chocolate tasting". I guess it wouldn't be as classy to call it "Chocolate Pig Out". Anyway, they're doing it Halloween style Oct 27 with a "Chocolate BOO-fet", 12pm-3pm. Langham Hotel, 250 Franklin Street, Boston, MA. (617) 451-1900. http://boston.langhamhotels.com/

There will be a lecture about pirates Sunday Oct 28 at 2pm, at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market St. Lowell MA. Everybody loves pirates. That's because they're so good at murdering and stealing. http://ecommunity.uml.edu/parkerlectures/parkersite.html

Heads up on the weird event of *next* week: "Tomes of Terror" or the "Halloween Live Audio Trilogy". Actors portray 1930s style radio broadcasters. They stand on stage and give a rendition of a spooky Halloween radio show. So you get to see how they make the special effects and other interest behind-the-scenes radio stuff. I went last year and it was fantastic. Oct 29 - Oct 31. First Congregational Church of Somerville, 89 College Avenue, Somerville, MA. 617.669.4391. 7:30pm. http://www.pmrp.org

Also in the spooky tales category, an Irish harpist is going to sing and tell ancient tales of terror at the Old South Meeting House on Halloween afternoon, October 31 from 12:15pm to 1pm. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108. (617) 482-6439. http://www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org

Did you know that every Saturday, at midnight, they show the movie "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Loews Harvard Square theater? They do, and there's an entire "cast", basically a club of people who come to parody and enjoy and perform during the show. There's a whole subculture around this. Well, they are doing a special Halloween show and it's 10pm not midnight, I just called to ask this. Rocky Horror Picture Show. Loews Theatre, 11 Church St, Cambridge, MA. http://www.fullbodycast.org/

And along similar lines, Gorefest at Improv Boston is a comedy show for Halloween with lots of blood. Fake blood. 1253 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-576-1253. Oct 26, 27, and 31, 8pm & 10pm. http://www.improvboston.com

If anyone cares, Van Halen has reunited and is playing Oct 30 at the TD Banknorth Garden. More importantly -- heads up -- David Sedaris is coming Nov 2nd to Boston Symphony Hall! He's the comedian and novelist you're always hearing on NPR. Like the Jon Stewart of book writing. http://www.bso.org/bso/

Harry Shearer, the voice of Ned Flanders and many others on The Simpsons, is starring in a comedy show in Newton. It's "This is So Not About the Simpsons", Oct 27-28, Jewish Theatre of New England, Newton. 617-965-5226. http://www.lsjcc.org/home/culturaljewish.html

Continuing events and then Halloween Special below:

-- Les Miserables, Oct 23-Nov 18, http://nsmt.org

-- Macbeth to Nov 11, http://www.actorsshakespeareproject.org

-- Out on the Edge Festival to Nov 10, http://thetheateroffensive.org/oote07/index.htm

-- CSI at the Museum of Science, Boston, to Oct 31. http://www.mos.org. Wicked, to Nov 11. http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33. BoSoma Dance Company, to Oct 29, http://www.bosoma.org. Paula Poundstone, Oct 23, Nov 2,3,6, http://www.paulapoundstone.com/cgi/calendar/bigcalendar.cgi. It's not too late to see fall foliage; see previous week's blog.

Haunted house information below. If you can't read it, try http://activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls. Unfortunately, I must recommend against Horrorville in Somerville; I've been and it's easily the worst haunted house I've ever been to.

Finally, did you know Six Flags New England is still open? It is, thru Oct 31. http://www.sixflags.com/newengland

That's 78 strange things to do this week; that's a record. See you there.

-Johnny

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( List of Haunted Houses )

Hi everyone,

Just a short mention, if you're planning to go to Horrorville in Somerville, I went last night and it is easily the worst haunted house I've ever been to, and not worth the $10. It is not a charity so there is no feel good reason to attend, either. See my last post on good alternatives, including plenty accessible by public transit.

-Johnny

Greetings, earthlings,

Here's this week in weird events coming up. Non-Halloween first.

You should not need an excuse to visit the ICA, the Institute of Contemporary Art, which is a top 5 New England museum, and the newest. It's fantastic and highly recommended, with tons of modern but accessible art installations, including plenty of video. However! They happen to have a performance space and I was struck by "Old Trout Puppet Workshop", which seems to be a true professional performance aimed at adults. Oct 18-20. http://www.icaboston.org/calendar/?startrange=2007-10-18&endrange=2007-10-18

Boston Startup Weekend is Oct 19-21! Challenge yourself to start a company in just 48 hours. http://boston.startupweekend.com/

Are you a geek? Boston Comic Con is Oct 21. Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St, Boston, MA. 508-320-1440. http://www.bostoncomiccon.com/

Are you a jock? Or just want to ogle 'em? The Head of the Charles Regatta is the annual boat race between colleges from all around the region. This is Oct 20-21, all along the Charles River. To go, just visit either the Cambridge or the Boston side anywhere in the MIT/BU/Harvard area. The real action is near the live music on the Cambridge side near JFK Street. Sat & Sun 8:30am-5pm. http://www.hocr.org

As a response, and may I say, all the real boating talent is busy elsewhere this weekend, the MIT Carboard Boat Regatta is Oct 19. Basically, you build a boat out of cardboard, get in, and paddle race them around in the huge indoor pool. 2-4pm at the MIT Zesiger Aquatic Center (Building W35), Cambridge, MA. http://web.mit.edu/zcenter/headofthezesiger

The Barbershop Harmony Society Convention is Oct 19-20. Come see dozens of barbershop performances and they seem to have a competition going too. Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, MA. 978-452-4777. http://www.lowellauditorium.com/upcomingEvents.aspx

If you'd like to do the singing yourself, try the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long. You know, based on the movie. Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts, Concord, MA. Oct 21. I could not get concrete information about this event. http://www.bostoncentral.com/activities/crafts/p366.php

The South End House Tours are Oct 20. Sure, it's just a house tour. But what it really is, is 5 houses of rich people who want to show off their stuff and compete for praise in high society. At least I figure there's that game to be thinking about if you go on this tour. But hey, it's probably interesting and historical. Also, in a weird coincidence, today on the bus I saw a woman going through index cards on this event. The tour leader? Small world. http://www.southendhistoricalsociety.org

Also arty, the Fort Point Open Studios is Oct 19-21. This is probably the best of the open studios in greater metro Boston, but they do it three times a year. http://www.fortpointarts.org

Even artier, Forest Hills Cemetery is having an "ee cummings celebration" October 21. Jamaica Plain, MA. A reading and a walk to his gravesite. http://www.foresthillstrust.org/calendar.html

Prefer to speak with him directly? Attend a seance at The New England Metaphysical Faire. Oct 21. Radisson Inn & Conference Center, 10 Independence Drive, Chelmsford, MA. Henna art, blood pressure clinic, jewelry and other crafts, music, and a whole lot of nonsensical anti-science mumbo jumbo, but I'm sure it's entertaining. http://www.choicetreasures.com/ NEMF.htm

If you care about antiques, the Greater Boston Antiques Festival is Oct 20-21. Shriner's Auditorium, Wilmington, MA. http://www.neantiqueshows.com

Much better I think to see the old timey past come alive at Sturbridge Village. They're having a "Craft Workshops" week, Oct 20-27. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA. (508) 347-3362. Crafts fair and a good excuse to visit one of New England's three re-enactment museums. http://www.osv.org

Like modern dance? What if the performers are blindfolded? It's either going to be great fun or a great train wreck. The BoSoma Dance Company is performing Oct 19-29, at the Boston University Dance Theatre, Boston, MA. 617-358-2500. http://www.bosoma.org

Perhaps you'd prefer to do the dancing. Artists Ball at Eliot Hall @ Jamaica Plain, Oct 20. This looks pretty fantastic! They'll have outdoor circus arts and cabaret performers, including an Elvis, and a live band. http://www.jpcentresouth.org/

Perhaps you'd prefer to do the dancing drunk. The Annual International Oktoberfest in Newport, RI, is at the Newport Yachting Center, Oct 20. They say it will be authentically German, with music and stuff for sale, and they're featuring a 65-foot-long grill for bratwurst. I would go to this primarily to visit Newport before the seasons' out. http://www.newportfestivals.com

While you are there, heads up for the very last "Murder at the Mansion", Oct 25 at one of the Newport mansions. http://www.astorsbeechwood.com/mystery.shtml

The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival is Oct 20. Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St, Boston, MA. 617-541-3535. There will be plenty of free food, speakers, plus earnest people trying to lure you into giving up meeaaat delicious tasty meeeattt yum yum slobber. http://www.bostonveg.org/foodfest

If that's not filling, Ipswich is an old timey North Shore town that does a pretty good job holding festivals and otherwise attracting tourists year-round. Their historical society is holding their Annual Harvest Supper, Oct 17, 6pm. It's 'traditional', which I believe means 18th century, and it is set in the historic Heard House Museum. http://www.ipswichmuseum.net/calendardetail.php?EventID=100

Not getting the hint that summer is over, the Essex Clamfest is Oct 20. Not too far from Salem if you're going for the day! http://www.capeannvacations.com/festival-event.cfm?id=79&mk=3&ck=0&em=&ey=

There's a Stone Wall Building Workshop. I was unaware that building a stone wall took training. Or maybe this is just their clever way of getting volunteers out. Riiiiiiight. Next I'd like to have a Cleaning Johnny's Apartment Workshop. Oct 17. Tower Hill Botanical Gardens. Bolyston, MA. Bring work glovers. http://www.worcester.org/calendar/?datebegin=10/17/2007

Now for Halloween! What if you took all the decorations and gadgets from a professional haunted house and packed them into a private home for a party? Midnight Seduction, which I've mentioned before, is coming up Nov 3. Because Halloween is over by then, one of the organizers has gotten a haunted house to loan their stuff! Midnight Seduction, is a vampire flirting party in Boston, show be a blowout, and an excuse to wear your costume one last time. See http://myspace.com/bostonseduction

The Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival is a benefit, but it's also free. Last year they broke the Guiness World Record for most pumpkins. Parade, pie-eating contest, magic show. Oct 20. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA. 207-655-3800. http://www.campsunshine.org

This one is great! I've been and it's highly recommended! It is Hoot & Howl Night - BBQ @ Wolf Hollow. Basically you go in costume, eat some barbecue, and then get to see some wolves and get a lecture, which ends with everyone howling along with the wolves. Fantastic. Oct 20. 114 Essex Rd, Ipswich, MA. 978 356-0216. Call ahead to reserve a space. Rain date one week later. If you miss it though they do a non-Halloween non-barbecue every Sat & Sun at 1pm. http://www.wolfhollowipswich.com

The Halloween Hike at Boo Meadow Brook is more of a guided nature walk at night than a haunted forest event. It is at night though, that should be fun! Oct 19-20, 6:30-8:30pm. At the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA. 508-753-6087. http://www.massaudubon.org/NatureConnection/Sanctuaries/BroadMeadow/news.php

More spooky will be the Halloween Tales at the Minute Man National Historic Park, at the Hartwell Tavern on Rt 2A in Lincoln. 978-318-7825. Ghost stories by candlelight. Oct 20. For kids 4:45-5:45, for adults 7-9pm. http://www.nps.gov/mima/

If you're out west, consider visiting Haunted Old New England at the Big E. Oct 19, 7-8pm. Ghost stories and folk tales from New England. My gut instinct is that the Big E is not classy enough for a special trip.

Heads up, if anyone cares, Paula Poundstone, the comedienne, is performing at the Hynes Convention Center. She's best known for her appearance on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me", and for pleading guilty to child abuse. Oct 23. And 11/2 at Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA. And 11/3, 11/6 at Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, NH. http://www.paulapoundstone.com/cgi/calendar/bigcalendar.cgi

They Might be Giants plays Oct 17 at "Toad's Place" in New Haven, CT. http://www.toadsplace.com

Also heads up, Les Miserables is playing Oct 23-Nov 18. I've seen it (not at this venue) and it's my favorite. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cry Vive La France. North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA. 978-232-7200. http://nsmt.org

Macbeth with an all-female cast at BU: Oct 18-Nov 11, http://www.actorsshakespeareproject.org

The Out on the Edge Festival is a series of theatre shows by the BGLTA community. Not in that scene? Go anyway; you'll learn something. Oct 20 - Nov 10, http://thetheateroffensive.org/oote_07/index.htm

Continuing events and then Halloween Special below:

-- Ringling Bros. Circus, to Oct 21, http://www.evilticketmaster.com

-- King Richard's Faire, to Oct 21, http://www.kingrichardsfaire.net

-- Connecticut Renaissance Faire, to Oct 21, http://www.ctfaire.com

-- Wachusett Mountain Applefest, to Oct 21, http://www.wachusett.com

-- CSI at the Museum of Science, Boston, to Oct 31. http://www.mos.org. Wicked, to Nov 11. http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33

I have now identified 35 haunted houses close to Boston, and it's so complex I have put it in tabular format. If you can't read this, load the Excel file from http://www.activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls and click the "Halloween" worksheet tab at the bottom.

Which haunted houses are accessible by public transit late at night? Jaycees(commuter rail to Mansfield, MA), Castle of the Damned, SpookyWorld, Haunted Ship (red line to Quincy Center), and everything in Salem, MA. Also of course the Horrorville in Somerville.

That ought to hold you for a week.

-Johnny
p.s. Can anyone send me info on the MIT pumpkin drop?

( Click for Big Halloween Table )

Hi!

Somehow I missed a bunch of stuff that was on my calendar already. Here it is.

KONE Lynn and Nahant Regional Kite Festival, Oct 13, 10am-4pm, Lynn MA beach. They'll have stunt kite competitions. I've been to similar events and it's usually a good time. http://www.kone.org/Festivals.html

The Annual Forge-In and Autumn Festival is a blacksmithing festival! That's Oct 13, 8am-8pm, in Fitchburg, MA. http://events.publicbroadcasting.net/wbur/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=552630

Paddling the Concord River with the Concord Museum is a trip back in time. Hear the words of Thoreau while exploring the river's past and present. Bring your own canoe or rent one for an additional fee. Concord, MA. Oct 13. http://www.merrimackvalley.org

The Essex Pumpkin Festival is Oct 13. Memorial Park, Essex MA. 978.283.1601. Chowder-tasting competition, arts and crafts, games, and entertainment. Open from 11 am to 4 pm. Free. http://www.capeannvacations.com/festival-event.cfm?id=87&mk=3&ck=0&em=&ey= or http://www.historicnewengland.org/things/calendar/Events.asp?State=MA

The Forest Hills Dog Walk is Oct 13, in Jamaica Plain, MA. Spend $12 and bring your dog at 10am for a guided tour of monuments in the cemetery that your dog can put one leg up against. 10am. http://www.foresthillstrust.org

Obviously not reading the arts calendar very carefully, there are two neighborhoods both with open studios this weekend, Roxbury and Arlington. Oct 13-14. Local artists open their private homes and studios and hope that you'll buy something. It's usually fun to walk around and see wat up. http://www.roxburyopenstudios.org and http://www.acarts.org/openstudios2007.php

The Salem Chamber of Commerce Halloween Biz Baz is basically a vendor festival. Oct 13-14. Vendors move all their places of commerce out, onto the street, into OUR area, where it used to be safe from haggling merchants, right up in your face. And they hire a band and call it a festival. They'll also have street performers. Salem, MA. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org

Wachusett Mountain Applefest is Oct 13-21. Basically it's a music festival over two weekends with some very hokey merchandise for sale. But they have a chairlift to the summit and Wachusett is a fantastic place to go for the fall foliage. Princeton, MA. Rt 2W to Rt 140 S. Skyline ride for fall foliage. Weekends. http://www.wachusett.com

Project YUM is a Food festival including pumpkin carving, world cuisine tastings. Union Square. Somerville, MA. http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/programs/artsunion/events_producers07.htm#yum

The Fall Family Festival at Garden in the Woods is Oct 14. 12-4pm. I'm listing it because besides the regular crafts and such, they're featuring scavenger hunts and "surprise creatures". 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA. 508-877-7630. http://www.newfs.org or http://www.merrimackvalley.org

The Annual A Capella Festival at Faneuil Hall is Oct 14. I don't seem to be able to confirm this, but it's on my 2007 calendar so I must have seen it concretely somewhere. Call them to confirm at 617-523-1300. http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

Spiritways: A Night in Beseiged Salem Village seems to be an indoor/outdoor theatre performance and tour of Salem regarding the witch trials. Oct 13-31, weekends only. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/attractions.htm

Bootiful Pets is a costume pet competition in Salem. I'm sure they are cute to die for. Oct 14. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org

Have fun! See my previous posting for this weekend too! That's at http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com

-Johnny

KONE Lynn and Nahant Regional Kite Festival, Oct 13, 10am-4pm, Lynn MA beach. They'll have stunt kite competitions. I've been to similar events and it's usually a good time.

Hi everyone,

There's plenty of weird this week but it's all Halloween themed and I've placed that all below. Let's start with the non-spooky events:

Tomorrow! The "Define-A-Thon" at Porter Square Books, is like a spelling bee except you have to guess the definition, sometimes the obscure 3th or 4th definition, of a word. Oct 10, 7pm. 25 White Street, Cambridge, MA. http://www.portersquarebooks.com

If that's a little too high brow, you may want to go see "The Wet Spots", a burlesque show with sophisticated, sexy, and scandalous songs. They need help getting the word out because their show, Oct 13, at midnight, has been moved to The Coolidge Corner Theatre at the last minute, in Brookline. I haven't seen it but I've met the manager and it's bound to be intelligent and saucy fun! So preview their music at http://www.WetSpotsMusic.com and go. Tickets at (617) 734 -2501 or http://www.coolidge.org

ArtsCentral is yet another arts festival happening in Cambridge. This one is sponsored by the merchants... it's a loose series of performances of dance, music, and poetry to get you to come in and shop. Oct 12-13. My favorite pick is an adult arts class using clay. http://www.centralsquarecambridge.com/artscentral

Davis Farmland has the largest maze in New England, made from a corn field. Every year they decorate the maze for Halloween. I've been numerous times and even used to help design the maze. They have a petting zoo across the street, too. Through November 12, Sat & Sun only, 10am-5pm. Sterling, MA. http://www.davisfarmland.com/megamaze

It's fall foliage season, so here are some ideas on where to go:

-- Wachusett Mountain is the best trade-off of real height but only an hour's drive from Boston. And it's nearby to Davis Farmland. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/wach.htm

-- Closer to home and T-accessible, the Middlesex Fells is just north of Boston on the Orange subway line. http://www.fells.org

-- Cambridge has a wonderful cemetery, it's quite lovely if you can ignore all the dead people. Mt. Auburn Cemetery, http://www.mountauburn.org

-- Mt. Monadnock is in nearby southern New Hampshire and is probably the best bang for the buck -- best view with not too strenuous a hike. Jaffrey, NH. http://www.nhparks.state.nh.us/ParksPages/Monadnock/Monadnock.html

-- And of course, the Berkshires beckon, in western Massachusetts. More info at http://gonewengland.about.com/od/mafoliage/MassachusettsFallFoliage.htm

The Tour de Somerville, Oct 13, 10am-5pm, is a 9-mile family friendly bike across Somerville. Rain date Oct 14. http://www.somervillema.gov/section.cfm?org=bicycle&page=574

The Boston Fantastic Film Festival is Oct 11-15, at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Lots of spooky Halloween horror, plus zany action comedy. It's not eclectic; it's fantastic. http://www.fantastic.brattlefilm.org/?pageid=5

An Evening with Champions Ice Show is a benefit that draws the nation's best ice skating talent. If you want to pick one Boston ice show to see, this is it. Oct 12-13. Bright Hockey Center, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Benefits the Jimmy Funa / Dana Farber. http://www.aneveningwithchampions.org

The CitySprouts Harvest Festival is an outdoor festival that will teach you about local produce and how food is grown. Oct 13, 11am-4pm. Free. Cambridge. I mention it specifically because they're going to have a professional storytelling event, "Green Stories and Light". Seems like mainly a kids thing. http://www.lanes.org/calendar/newenglandfestivals.html and http://citysprouts.org/

Halloween at Hogwarts, Oct 13, is for kids ages 6-11 only. Since I'm 6'4" somehow I don't think I'll be able to sneak into this one. Also they want you to prepay $25 and arrive at 9am, a time when I plan to be sleeping. Anyway, it's in Salem and there's plenty to do in Salem so this is just one of several reasons to go. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/events.htm

The American Diabetes Walk is Oct 13, and the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk is Oct 14. Finally, the Walk for Autism Research is Oct 14. I am pleased to announce that these are the last charity walks for 2007. The sidewalks are safe again. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/hatchevents.htm and http://www.autismwalk.org/boston

Remember when I told you that the Free Night of Theatre tickets were going to be available and you should snatch them? I made a phone call and learned that the date for wild snatching is actually Oct 18. http://www.freenightoftheater.net

Continuing events and then Halloween Special below:

-- Boston Comedy Festival, to Oct 13, http://www.bostoncomedyfestival.com

-- Ringling Bros. Circus, to Oct 21, http://www.evilticketmaster.com

-- Stephen King book signing, Oct 16, 617-661-1515. http://www.harvard.com

-- King Richard's Faire, to Oct 21, http://www.kingrichardsfaire.net

-- Connecticut Renaissance Faire, to Oct 21, http://www.ctfaire.com

-- FirstWorksProv to Oct 13, http://www.firstworksprov.org. CSI at the Museum of Science, Boston, to Oct 31. http://www.mos.org. Wicked, to Nov 11. http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33, Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps, to Oct 14.

-Johnny
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL -- only what's open this week

-- Livingston Street Terror. Livingston St. Tewksbury, MA. MY RATING: A+. Fri-Sat 7-10, Sun 7-9. Weekends, Oct 6-29, and Oct 30. Rt 93N to exit 42, into Tewksbury. One of the smaller ones but excellent. See website for coupon. http://www.livingstonstreetterror.com/

-- Barrett's Haunted Mansion, 1235 Bedford St, Abington, MA. 781-871-4573. MY RATING: A. Rt 3S to Rt 18S. 7-10:30pm daily except 1-5,10,11,12,31. A BIG one worth seeing. See website for coupons. You can also pick up coupons at the restaurant next-door. http://www.bhmansion.com

-- Haunted Acres. Epping, NH. (603) 679-9850. This one is excellent with three attractions!. MY RATING: A-. Includes a haunted walk through the woods. Oct 5-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-31, 6pm-10pm, but to 11pm on Fri & Sat. Rain or shine. http://www.hauntedacresnh.com/

-- The Asylum of Horror, Fall River, right next to the Factory of Terror. Anawan St. Fall River, MA. 508.324.7709. MY RATING: A-. Sep 28-30, Oct 5-8, 12-14, 18-21, 25-31, 7-11pm. See website for coupons. http://www.asylumofhorror.com

-- The Factory of Terror, Fall River, MA. MY RATING: B-, but worth seeing if you are in town for the Asylum of Horror. Rt 195E to exit 5. Left off exit. Behind Dunkin Donuts. Sep 21-22, 28-30 @ 8-11pm, Oct 5-8, 12-14, 18-21, 25-31, 6:30-10pm but to 11pm Fri-Sun. Extensive 35-room haunted house. See website for coupons. http://www.factoryofterror.com

-- Castle of the Damned at Hammond Castle. The castle is at 80 Hesperus Ave, Gloucester, MA, but don't go there! You need to drive to the overflow parking lot instead, "Stage Fort Park & Welcoming Center, Hough Street". 978-283-2080. The lines are the worst at this out of all the haunted houses, so you absolutely must arrive early. http://www.hammondcastle.org and http://www.pastimesentertainment.com/castle.html

-- Jaycees Haunted House @ Walpole Mall. Orpheum Theatre, 1 School St, Foxboro, MA. 508-543-0712. UNRATED. Oct 5-7,12-14,19-21,26-28, 7-11pm but Sunday to 10pm. Rt 95S to exit 10. Right off exit. 1/4 mile on rt. http://www.foxborojaycees.org

-- Lakeville Haunted House. UNRATED. 28 Precinct Street, Lakeville, MA. 508-923-0053. Oct 12,13,19,20,26,27, 6pm-10pm. http://www.lakevillehauntedhouse.com

-- Haunted Mansion @ Victorian Park. Salem, NH. Not Salem MA but it's only 60 minutes from Boston. 603-898-1803. UNRATED. Rt 93N to ex 3, Rt 111E to Rt 28S. 2007: Oct 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 25-31, open at 6:30. See website for coupon. http://www.hhhproductions.com

-- Witch's Woods. Nashoba Ski Area. Westford, MA. 978-692-3033. MY RATING: C. Rt 2W to Rt. 2A/119, 6mi to Powers Rd. The worst one, skip it! Sep 28,29,30, Oct 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-31. http://www.witchswoods.com

-- Spooky World. Bayside Expo Center, Boston, MA. 617-474-6541. Technically this is UNRATED but it's in the same location as the 2005 "Hallowscream", which I rated C+. Oct 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 6-11pm. http://www.spookyworld.com/

And Salem events:

-- Chilling Tales on board Friendship of Salem. I've been to this one and it was great fun! Spooky ghost stories on the old timey ship I mentioned above. Oct 5-28. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org

-- Cry Innocent! I've also seen this one. It is an interactive theatre experience where they put someone on a mock trial and you get to cross-examine them and decide if she really is a witch! Burn her! Burn her! Oct 6 - Oct 31. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org

-- Legacy of the Hanging Judge & Spirit of the Gables. These are two different theatre events that take place in the House of the Seven Gables, which Hawthorne wrote about. Instead of sitting down, you actually walk through the place and each room has a different actor who greets you and continues the story of the Salem Witch Trials. Really well done! A must see. 7 Derby St., Salem, MA. (978) 744-0991. Oct 5-7, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, 31, 7:15pm to 11pm. http://7gables.org/

-- The Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo. Daily through October at the Museum Place Mall, 176 Essex Street, Salem, MA. http://www.festivalofthedead.com/psychicfair.html

-- Salem Spirits Trolley Tour, to Oct 31 and beyond. Themed tours of the region. http://www.salemhistoricaltours.com/html/salemspiritstrolleytour.html

-- Eerie Evenings (ghost stories), Oct 12-17. (978) 744-8815 Ghost stories. 2007: 6-10pm, every 20 minutes, Oct 12,13,19,20,26,27. http://www.salemweb.com/witchhouse

Hi!

Welcome. We have some yummy events for ya.

Salem is a fun place to go during October but events don't really get underway until mid-month. They have numerous museums related to the Salem Witch trials and pirates, and several highly cheesy 'haunted' attractions that perhaps it's best to avoid. All the Salem attractions are within walking distance of each other. Rt 128N to exit 25A, Rt 114E, follow signs to visitor's center. http://www.piratemuseum.com, http://www.salemwitchmuseum.org

Also Salem was once a major shipping port and they have non-spooky historical tours, including a real ship. Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Definitely worth seeing. http://www.nps.gov/sama/

More Salem Events:

-- Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, Oct 4. Starts at Shetland Park and ends at Salem Common. 6:30pm.

-- Chilling Tales on board Friendship of Salem. I've been to this one and it was great fun! Spooky ghost stories on the old timey ship I mentioned above. Oct 5-28. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org

-- Cry Innocent! I've also seen this one. It is an interactive theatre experience where they put someone on a mock trial and you get to cross-examine them and decide if she really is a witch! Burn her! Burn her! Oct 6 - Oct 31. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org

-- Legacy of the Hanging Judge & Spirit of the Gables. These are two different theatre events that take place in the House of the Seven Gables, which Hawthorne wrote about. Instead of sitting down, you actually walk through the place and each room has a different actor who greets you and continues the story of the Salem Witch Trials. Really well done! A must see. 7 Derby St., Salem, MA. (978) 744-0991. Oct 5-7, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, 31, 7:15pm to 11pm. http://7gables.org/

-- Autumn Colonial Days, a re-enactment of the Puritan colonists, at the Witch House, Oct 6. http://www.hauntedhappenings.org

As far as Puritan re-enactments you really can't beat Plimoth Plantation, however. They are havin a Harvest Festival Oct 6-8. Carve a pumpkin, learn knot tying, make a birdfeeder or make cranberry jelly from scratch. Also, get this, they are going to have a mock "immigration and customs office" where native americans get to harass the puritans using 21st century customs procedures. Should Whitey really be allowed to colonize the US? If that's not weird I don't know what is! http://www.plimoth.org/calendar/month.php?mo=10&yr=2007

Midnight Seduction is a vampire flirting party. Are you bringing sexy back? Prove it. Oct 6. Free but must RSVP in advance. Highly recommended. http://myspace.com/bostonseduction

This one's weird and fun! I've been and definitely recommend it. The Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony & Lectures is a joke on the Nobel prizes. "Ignoble", get it? Anyway, the joke is to honor the research that's silly. The ceremony itself usually sells out... I did post this earlier so if you ignored that get tickets ASAP. The prize ceremony is the best, that's Oct 4. At Sanders Theatre at Harvard. The lectures are probably not ticketed, they are Oct 6. http://www.improbable.com/

People in Somerville are insane. That's a good thing. So they're having a "Honk! Festival" Oct 5-7. It's a gathering of activist street bands from across the US for horn-inspired performances. 9am-11pm Sat, 8pm-12am Sun. Free. They'll have a parade sunday at 12pm led by NPR's Car Talk Guys. Sounds like great fun! http://www.honkfest.org

I ran across this and it looks interesting. How often do we get good magicians visiting? Justin Kredible performs Oct 3, at the Mass College of Pharmacy. http://www.justinkredible.com

Roslindale is a Boston community that I only know as being somewhere near Forest Hills Cemetery. Their Open Studios event is Oct 6-7. http://www.roslindaleopenstudios.org/

"On the Road", by writer Jack Kerouac, is a celebration of an era that came well before most of us were born. The dude was born in Lowell, hey, I didn't know that. So they're holding Kerouac Weekend, Oct 5-7, in Lowell, MA. 877-KEROUAC. This seems to be a variety of events all over the region, not at one central fesival fairgrounds. The schedule is too tiny for me to read it, I kid you not. I'm sure it's fun. Bring a motorcycle. http://www.merrimackvalley.org

I'm hoping none of you actually believe this stuff, but there is an entire festival dedicated to the paranormal and I'm sure it's fun as entertainment. It's the The Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo. Daily through October at the Museum Place Mall, 176 Essex Street, Salem, MA. http://www.festivalofthedead.com/psychicfair.html

Probably it's more fun to go to Worcester and see people whack each other, at the Historical Combat Demonstrations at Higgins Armory. This is a museum dedicated entirely to suits of armor and medieval weaponry. Oct 6. Re-enactors demonstrate life as a 15th century soldier, and also demonstrate sword combat. Also 11/3/07. http://www.higgins.org/Calendar/

I'm really not into sitting around indoors, but this film festival seems to come with a variety of receptions and parties. The New England Film & Video Festival is Oct 4-8. Brookline, MA. 617-989-0588. http://www.nefvf.com/

Or if you'd prefer to sit and stare at a screen like a zombie... wait a second! The Zombie Movie Marathon is Oct 6 at the Somerville Theatre. It's 12 hours of blood and they'll have unspecified "guests and contests". http://www.feitheatres.com/zombiemarathon/

The Boston Palestine Film Festival runs through Oct 7, at various venues, mainly Harvard and the MFA. http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/

MIT has a glass blowing lab and every year they sell glass pumpkins to raise money. Each one come with an evil robot spirit. Great Glass Pumpkin Patch @ MIT, Oct 5-6, Kresge Oval, MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA. 617-253-5309. http://web.mit.edu/glasslab/sales_pumpkin.html

Here are a few things that are not Halloween related, just to give you a mental break. The Green Buildings Open House is Oct 6. It's a nationwide event where greenies open up their homes and businesses so you can ooh and aah at their energy conservation feng shui. http://www.nesea.org

We like it when the MFA is free. MFA Columbus Day Open House is Oct 8. 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. Free admission to event celebrating South Asia & selected exhibits. Henna tattooing lessons, music, art. http://www.mfa.org

Also close to home, the Fenway Cultural Festival is Oct 8. 10am-4pm. An arts, music, dance festival that has no single fairgrounds. There are various venues. http://www.fenwayculture.org

Now for some away stuff. "Battle Road Heroes" is Oct 6, at Minute Man National Historic Park, in Lexington or Concord. At night, stroll down a candle-lit path and listen to personal stories by re-enactors of Revolutionary War heroes. They do it every 15 minutes from 7-8:30pm. http://www.nps.gov/mima/

Plum Island Airport is having an event called "Go Fly A Kite", Oct 6. Bring your own kite or make one from the materials they'll provide. Games, crafts, picnic food. Oct 6, 11am-3pm. Rain date Oct 7. That's on Plum Island, way north in Newbury MA. http://www.historicnewengland.org/things/calendar/Events.asp?State=MA

Way out West, The Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival is Oct 6-7. Rtes. It's the longest-running and best-known community event in the Berkshires: rides, games, food, music, crafts, giant tag sale. I think a tag sale is what we city folks would call a yard sale or flea. Routes 102 and 183. Stockbridge, MA. 413/298-3926. While you're there check out the Norman Rockwell Museum. http://www.berkshirebotanical.org and http://www.nrm.org

The Massachusetts Cranberry Harvest Festival is Oct 6-7. 158 Tihonet Road, Wareham, MA. 508-747-7525. 10-5pm. At A. D. Makepeace. It appears to be the smaller of the two annual cranberry festivals, but they'll have helicopter rides and pony rides and wagon rides.

I genuinely believe this event is separate, not the same. The National Cranberry Festival is Oct 6-8. At Edaville Railroad in Carver, MA. So if you go you can get a train ride or go on their ferris wheel. 877-332-8455. Rt 3S to exit 6, Rt 44W 8 mi to Rt 58S. http://www.edaville.com

Now that it's October, brace yourself for a series of beer festivals. I will try to pick just the ones that appeal to the intellectual and geeky.

Let's start with the International Oktoberfest in Newport, RI. They claim it'll be authentically German with German culture and performances. Newport is just a great place to visit in any event. Stroll the cliff walk and see the mansions, and also the Murdery Mystery and Big Band Party events are still ongoing to Oct 15. See http://newportfestivals.com/Oktoberfest/ and http://www.newportmansions.org and http://www.astorsbeechwood.com

The Maynard Octoberfest is Oct 7. It's the largest in the area. Magic pumpkin painting, the ubiquitous vendors, and oooh -- fireworks! Maynard, MA. http://www.merrimackvalley.org

Harvard Square Oktoberfest, Oct 7. Just an excuse for vendors to sell wares on the streets. But a cute event. Cambridge, MA. Over 100,000 attend so I can hardly fail to mention it. http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Events/29th-Annual-Oktoberfest.aspx

The Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival is Oct 7-8. Attracts 10,000 annually. This seems to be primarily a vendors fair for artists, but they will have kids performances and a scarecrow competition. So you can walk around downtown admiring all the scarecrows on display. The idea with festivals like this is that you only go when you plan to do something else in the same region. http://www.newburyportchamber.org

The Boston Comedy Festival is Oct 7-13. I went once to the standup comedy contest and it was really really fun. http://www.bostoncomedyfestival.com/

The Hartford International Jazz Festival is Oct 5-7. http://www.HIJF.com

I don't normally list long distance stuff, but the largest re-enactment evnet in the entire region is the Battle of Saratoga, at Fort Edward, New York, Oct 6-7. It is the 230th anniversary and re-enactors from far and wide are going to recreate the 1777 battle. http://www.saratoga230th.com/

Every year the Ringling Bros. Circus visits. Oct 5-21. TD Banknorth Garden. http://www.evilticketmaster.com

Aren't you tired yet of walking for charity? Go to the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women, Oct 8, Boston Common, Boston, MA. http://www.tuftshealthplan.com/tufts10k/index.php

Got blog? Please mention me to your readers! My home site is http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com and the mailing list link is http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/johnnys-list

Heads up, Stephen King, the famous horror writer, is speaking Oct 16. It shold sell out so buy tix now. Memorial Church, 1 Harvard Yard, Cambridge. 617-661-1515. http://www.harvard.com

Continuing events and then Halloween Special below:

-- King Richard's Faire, to Oct 21, weekends only, http://www.kingrichardsfaire.net

-- Connecticut Renaissance Faire, to Oct 21, http://www.ctfaire.com

-- The Topsfield Fair, to Oct 8, http://www.topsfieldfair.org

-- FirstWorksProv to Oct 13, http://www.firstworksprov.org. CSI at the Museum of Science, Boston, to Oct 31. http://www.mos.org. Wicked, to Nov 11. http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33, Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps, to Oct 14.

-Johnny
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL -- only what's open this week

-- Livingston Street Terror. Livingston St. Tewksbury, MA. MY RATING: A+. Fri-Sat 7-10, Sun 7-9. Weekends, Oct 6-29, and Oct 30. Rt 93N to exit 42, into Tewksbury. One of the smaller ones but excellent. See website for coupon. http://www.livingstonstreetterror.com/

-- Barrett's Haunted Mansion, 1235 Bedford St, Abington, MA. 781-871-4573. MY RATING: A. Rt 3S to Rt 18S. 7-10:30pm daily except 1-5,10,11,12,31. A BIG one worth seeing. See website for coupons. You can also pick up coupons at the restaurant next-door. http://www.bhmansion.com

-- Haunted Acres. Epping, NH. (603) 679-9850. This one is excellent with three attractions!. MY RATING: A-. Includes a haunted walk through the woods. Oct 5-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-31, 6pm-10pm, but to 11pm on Fri & Sat. Rain or shine. http://www.hauntedacresnh.com/

-- The Asylum of Horror, Fall River, right next to the Factory of Terror. Anawan St. Fall River, MA. 508.324.7709. MY RATING: A-. Sep 28-30, Oct 5-8, 12-14, 18-21, 25-31, 7-11pm. See website for coupons. http://www.asylumofhorror.com

-- The Factory of Terror, Fall River, MA. MY RATING: B-, but worth seeing if you are in town for the Asylum of Horror. Rt 195E to exit 5. Left off exit. Behind Dunkin Donuts. Sep 21-22, 28-30 @ 8-11pm, Oct 5-8, 12-14, 18-21, 25-31, 6:30-10pm but to 11pm Fri-Sun. Extensive 35-room haunted house. See website for coupons. http://www.factoryofterror.com

-- Jaycees Haunted House @ Walpole Mall. Orpheum Theatre, 1 School St, Foxboro, MA. 508-543-0712. UNRATED. Oct 5-7,12-14,19-21,26-28, 7-11pm but Sunday to 10pm. Rt 95S to exit 10. Right off exit. 1/4 mile on rt.

-- Haunted Mansion @ Victorian Park. Salem, NH. Not Salem MA but it's only 60 minutes from Boston. 603-898-1803. UNRATED. Rt 93N to ex 3, Rt 111E to Rt 28S. 2007: Oct 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 25-31, open at 6:30. See website for coupon. http://www.hhhproductions.com

-- Witch's Woods. Nashoba Ski Area. Westford, MA. 978-692-3033. MY RATING: C. Rt 2W to Rt. 2A/119, 6mi to Powers Rd. The worst one, skip it! Sep 28,29,30, Oct 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-31. http://www.witchswoods.com

-- Spooky World. Bayside Expo Center, Boston, MA. 617-474-6541. Technically this is UNRATED but it's in the same location as the 2005 "Hallowscream", which I rated C+. Oct 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 6-11pm.