November 2007 Archives

Hey everyone,

The Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History in Weston is having a free open house day. Dec 1, 12pm-4pm. 235 Wellesley Street, Weston, MA. Features a "talking British mailbox", so you know that's going to be a good, good time. http://www.spellman.org

The "Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton" is both a charity race and a charity walk. Dec 1. Downtown Northampton, 38 Gothic Street, Northampton, MA. 2 mile walk and a 5 mile run. 9:30am and 10am. Benefits charity. http://www.hotchocolaterun.com

40th Anniversary Celebration at the German Cultural Center for New England. Dec 2. 170 Beacon St. Boston, MA. 617-262-6050. Intro German class, fairytale hour, gingerbread classes, Jazz music. I guess they tried polka music and discovered Americans weren't into it. http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/bos/ges/gt4/enindex.htm

Heads up, Evanescence performs Dec 5-8 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH. And they're having an actual rodeo, called "Professional Bull Riders", at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA, Dec 6. http://www.ticketmaster.com

-Johnny

Hi,

Here's a quick week in weird events coming up in New England.

The weird event of the week is Midnight Seduction, a 'vampire flirting party' in Cambridge. Saturday, December 1. The web site now has pics and a link to an article in the Boston Phoenix. Apparently if you like vampires and flirting it's for you. Prefer the Care Bears? Don't go. They'll suck your blood. Seriously. http://myspace.com/bostonseduction

Also weird, the The Great Marlborough Train Show is Dec 1-2. This is for model train enthusiasts, and while you probably aren't an enthusiast, I recommend spending some time with hobbyists. Their energy is infectious. Best Western, 181 Boston Post Rd (Rt 20), Marlborough, MA. 10-5 S, 10-4 S. 781-862-0388. http://www.hubdiv.org

What's better than the gift you can eat? Attend the Gingerbread House Workshops at Verrill Farm, Dec 1-9, at 11 Wheeler Road in Concord, MA. 978-369-4494. Basically they give you a blank house, you decorate it. Assembled house, frosting and candy provided, 3 classes at 9:30, 11:30 and 1:30 --$35.00 per house, reservations & prepayment required. http://www.verrillfarm.com

More tree lightings and Satan, whoops, Santa events:

-- Boston, MA. Copley Square Tree Lighting, Nov 28, 5-6pm in Copley Square. http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/eventsannouncements.asp

-- Boston, MA. Boston's Official Tree Lighting, Nov 29, Boston Common. 6-8pm. http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/eventsannouncements.asp

-- Boston, MA. The Enchanted Trolley Tour & Xmas Lights, Nov 30 - Dec 2, at the Hynes Convention Center. Possibly too syrupy. But the lights & animatronics and probably fun, if you're not stuck in line to see Santa. http://www.cityofboston.gov/arts/

-- Lexington, MA. Lexington Holiday Lighting Ceremony & Shoppers Night, Nov 30, 4-9pm. Santa, carollers, prizes. Merchants hawking their wares. http://www.lexingtonchamber.org/events.php

-- Worcester, MA. The City of Worcester's Festival of Lights, Nov 30, at Worcester Common & City Hall, 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA. 5-8pm. Horse drawn hayrides, music, tree lighting. http://www.socialweb.net/Clients/Worcester/index.lasso?id=66309

-- Methuen, MA. Methuen Tree Lighting, Dec 2. Music, santa, hot chocolate. 2007: 5:30pm. http://www.cityofmethuen.net/index.php?option=comwrapper&Itemid=116

-- Grafton, MA. Grafton Tree Lighting, Dec 2. http://www.town.grafton.ma.us/PublicDocuments/GraftonMARecreation/holiday1252004?textPage=1
-- Pembroke, MA. Pembroke Tree Lighting, Dec 2. http://www.pembrokechamber.org/calendar.php

-- Nantucket Island. It's "Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend", on Nantucket Island. Whenever you hear a phrase like "Christmas Stroll" basically it means please buy our stuff! O god! We're dying here! Buy buy buy!! Anyway, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to the island via Coast Guard and ride up Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage. Carolers in Victorian costumes, bell ringers and other musicians. Nov 30 - Dec 2, Nantucket Island. 508-228-1700. http://www.nantucketchamber.org

-- Haverhill, MA. Haverhill Annual Christmas Stroll, Dec 2. Merchant event, with Santa. Free train rides. http://www.celebratehaverhill.com

-- The Sutton Chain of Lights is Dec 1, in Sutton, MA. http://www.suttonchainoflight.com

-- Faneuil Hall, which is a huge tourist trap and you locals should never, ever shop there, is having bellringers on Saturdays this month. Dec 1-22, 617-523-1300. 12pm-3pm. Saturdays only.

The New England International Auto Show is Nov 28 - Dec 2, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA. http://www.paragon.com

On the flip side from classical to modern, the Boston Music Awards 20th Anniversary is Dec 1. Orpheum Theatre, One Hamilton Place, Boston, MA. 617-931-2000. Annual awards ceremony for best local and national acts. http://www.bostonmusicawards07.com/

This one just looked weird and interesting. Yamato, the "Drummers of Japan", perform Dec 1-2, at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston. They're a ten-person band of Japanese drummers.

Competing for your gift giving dollars are several open studios. Fort Point is the best in my opinion and that's not until Dec 8.

-- The Charlestown Open Studios is Dec 1 - Dec 2, Charlestown, MA. Smaller than the Art in the Park? http://www.artistsgroupofcharlestown.com

-- The Fenway Studios Annual Holiday Open Studios is Dec 1-Dec 2, 30 Ipswich Street, Boston, MA. 617-536-3756. http://www.friendsoffenwaystudios.org

-- Hyde Park Open Studios is Dec 1 - 2, 12-5pm. http://www.hydeparkopenstudios.org

And now in Xmas classics, Handel's Messiah, by the Handel & Hayden Society, is Nov 30 - Dec 2, at Symphony Hall in Boston. This one is not participatory; that's Dec 8. http://www.handelandhaydn.org/learn/news/pressreleases/07-08seasonpressrel.htm

Also a classic, The Nutcracker, the ballet show that everyone should catch in their lifetime (and I haven't yet, shame on me). Nov 29 - Dec 29, opens this week at the Opera House, the Xmas tradition. Boston, MA. http://www.bostonballet.org

Holiday Lights Summary:

-- Carver, MA. Edaville Railroad, to Jan 1. My favorite! http://www.edaville.com

-- Springfield, MA. Bright Night at Forest Park. Nov 21-Jan 1. Rt 83, . 413-733-3800. 550,000 lights. My 2nd favorite. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo at same time. Daily. http://www.brightnights.org

-- Attleboro, MA. La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights, Nov 22 - Jan 1, 947 Park Street. 508-222-5410. Daily. Very religious, it's a shrine. 250,000 lights. http://www.lasalette-shrine.org

-- Stoneham, MA. Stone Zoo's Zoolights, Nov 22 - Dec 30. 49 Pond Street. 617-989-2000. Convenient to Boston, but the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the park is not spectacularly lit. http://www.stonezoo.org

-- Campton, NH. White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park, Nov 22 - Dec 30, Branch Brook Campground. 603-726-7001. Exit 28 off I-93. Fri-Sun, 4:30- 8:30pm. http://www.holidaymagiclightpark.com

-- Sandwich, MA. Heritage Museum Spectacle of Lights, Nov 23 - Dec 31, 67 Grove Street. 508-888-3300. 1 million lights. http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/2007spectacleoflights

Continuing events:

-- Ice skating on Boston Common, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- The Mystery of Edwin Drood, to Dec 15, http://www.speakeasystage.com/

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

-- Mayor's Holiday Special, to Jan 1, http://www.artsboston.org/mhs/

-- Cultural Survival Bazaar, Dec 1-2 in Cambridge, Dec 8-9 in Boston. http://www.cs.org

Finally, for a list of skiing places that I've carefully reviewed and rated, check out http://activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls and click on the "Skiing" tab at the bottom.

Thank you to Ron (LJ ronnewman) for keeping me honest and finding my goofs!

-Johnny

Hi!

Here are some last minute updates!

I thought this merited a special note because Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo are both free on Nov 23, the day after Thanksgiving. Both parks are open all winter long. http://www.franklinparkzoo.org and http://www.stonezoo.org

Also there's a ticket discount merchant thingy they're disguising as the "Mayor's Holiday Special", through Jan 1. Basically you get discounted tickets to a number of citywide theatre and arts shows. http://www.artsboston.org/mhs

They're having another 17th cenutry Thanksgiving event in Deerfield, MA. A Season of Thanks, Nov 24, features. 17th century handcraft demonstrations, music, by the Springfield Society. 413-775-7127. http://www.visit-massachusetts.com/eventsholidays.html

The Hancock Shaker Village is more in the 1830s, and they're holding a "Shaker Supper" on Nov 24. A cappella Shaker music and food from the 1830s. Route 20 & 41, Pittsfield, MA. http://www.hancockshakervillage.org/page.php?PageID=382

People who are, shall we say, not exactly rocket scientists, are welcome to join in the Annual Cold Turkey Plunge, on Thanksgiving morning on Nantucket Island. Nov 22. 10am. Nantucket Athenaeum, Children’s Beach. 508-228-1110 ext 107. http://www.nantucketchamber.org/visitor/events.html

A number of local towns have Santa parades or tree lighting festivals. Since lighting a tree these days takes less than a second to flip a switch, I'm not sure what the big deal is. Maybe in Ye Olde Dayse they have to manually light little candles around Ye Olde Fire Hazard Pine Tree, and that's where tree lighting as a viewing sport comes from.

Anyway, here are a few:

-- Gloucester, MA. This one looks the most fun to me. Gloucester's Santa Parade & Tree Lighting, Nov 25, Starts at 3pm at the State Fish Pier, ends at Kent Circle around 4:30pm. Participatory Christmas carols. Fill out a holiday card to troops overseas and get some free popcorn and hot chocolate. http://www.capeannvacations.com/festival-event.cfm?id=377&mk=3&ck=0&em=&ey=

-- Winthrop, MA. Winthrop Holiday Lighting Festival, Nov 23, http://www.winthropchamber.com

-- Medway, MA. Santa Parade and Fireworks, Nov 24, Choate Park, Medway, MA. Parade starts at 5:30pm on Holliston Street (near Medway Middle School) and ends at Choate Park on Route 109. Then 6:30pm fireworks over Choate Pond. Santa. Participatory holiday carols. choatefriends@yahoo.com. http://www.whofish.org/events/Medway/MA/SantaParadeandFireworksinMedwaysChoatePark/78288.aspx

-- Newburport, MA. Newburyport Santa Parade & Tree Lighting, Nov 25, Newburyport, MA. 4:30pm starting at the Boardwalk and ending at Market Square. http://www.newburyportchamber.org/calendarofevents.shtml

-- Springfield, MA. Springfield's Big Balloon Parade, Nov 23, at 11am. http://www.spiritofspringfield.org/balloon

-- Boston, MA. Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park, Nov 26. Christopher Columbus Park, Boston, MA. 5:30 to 6:30pm. 50,000 lights, music performances, and free hot chocolate and pastries. http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/eventsannouncements.asp

-- Lowell, MA. City of Lights Parade. Nov 24. Merrimack & Central Streets, Lowell, MA. 4:30pm. Holiday sing-a-long led by Santa. http://www.downtownlowell.com

Also, here's another merchant event, the "Castleberry Fair" in Wilmington, Nov 23-25. This one's unusual because they'll have a lot of food, not just crafts. Shriner's Auditorium Wilmington, MA. Yet another holiday crafts & foods fair. See Web site for coupon. http://www.castleberryfairs.com

That ought to keep you humming Frosty the Snowman for a week.

Please note, I often post last minute updates solely to my livejournal. If you are bookmarking a page, go to http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com. And if you want the information by email, join the mailing list at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/johnnys-list

-Johnny

Hi everyone,

This is the week in weird. First, some things that don't involve Christmas.

Want something to do on Thanksgiving? The Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble 4 Miler is a running marathon. Nov 22. http://www.srr.org/events/annualevents/gobble

Another road race on Thanksgiving is the 5K Road Race to Benefit Best Buddies. Starting at Boston Volvo Village, 75 North Beacon Street, Brighton MA. http://www.bestbuddiesmassachusetts.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=242954

Then Thanksgiving evening, if you aren't too stuffed with stuffing, join in some participatory folk dancing called Contra Dancing. Nov 22. In Lincoln, 7-10pm, in Watertown, MA at 8pm, in Concord, MA from 8-11pm. All at http://www.facone.org/fdrb/home/cal-week.html

If you'd like to experience the original Thanksgiving, Plimoth Plantation is serving up the 1627 Harvest Dinner, Nov 21 and Nov 24, Plymouth, MA. The museum is open Thanksgiving Day too if you're looking for something to do. 5:30pm. http://www.plimoth.org

The day after is the Friday After Thanksgiving Chain Reaction, Nov 23, at MIT. See students build a Rube Goldberg device. Basically a big machine with rolling balls that does nothing. MIT Campus, Rockwell Gymnasium, 120 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA. http://web.mit.edu/museum

The Capitol Steps is a singing troupe that performs exclusively on political satire. You've heard them on NPR, I think they're quite good! Nov 24. Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-496-2222. http://140.247.118.196/tickets/sandersevents.cfm

Sing-A-Long Mary Poppins is Nov 23, at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA. Basically, they show the film and the audience sings along. Like a G-rated Rocky Horror Picture Show. http://www.regenttheatre.com

The New England History Festival is Nov 24 at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown Street. Watertown, MA. 6pm. It's an evening of talks by historians. Very sexy historians! Just kidding. http://www.historyfestival.org/details.html

Le Grand David is the largest and possibly only regional magician. Someone who doesn't tour, I mean, but performs regularly. Although his shows are weekly, all year long, I thought I'd mention the Nov 25th performance, at the Cabot St Theater, in Beverly, MA. 978-927-3677. http://www.legranddavid.com

Christmas is coming and nothing you can do can stop it! There are a number of merchant events where you can meet Santa and offer a lap dance. Santa's Arrival by Parachute is Nov 24 in Quincy. It's not on their calendar but I called to confirm this. Ring them for the time, I forgot to ask. Pageant Field in Quincy. Take Merrymount Parkway to get there. http://www.discoverquincy.com

TubaChristmas Concert at Fanueil Hall is Nov 24, 2-3pm. It's a concert with 100 tubas. Let's hope it isn't "Tuuu baaad". http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

Sparklefest is the non-event for the merchant shops in Harvard Square. However, on Nov 24, 5-6:30 they will have storytelling, a choir, and tree lighting at the Charles Hotel. http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Articles/Sparklefest-2007.aspx

The Cultural Survival Bazaar involves art from all around the world, at reasonable prices. I went last year and I actually bought some things! I never buy at these events so it must be really good. Nov 24-25, 10am-6pm, Cambridge College, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. Then Dec 1-2, 10am-6pm, Episcopal Divinity School, 5 Phillips Place, Cambridge, MA. Then Dec 8-9, 11am-7pm, Hynes Convention Center, Boston. http://www.festivalnoir.net or http://www.cs.org

Winthrop is holding a Holiday Lighting Festival on Nov 23, 3-6pm. Usually I ignore these things, but this one includes hay rides, ice sculpture demonstration, Santa Claus, kid's hat contest, and plenty of performers including people in cartoon suits such as Minnie Mouse. http://www.winthropchamber.com/

And now, Johnny's Master Holiday Lights Roadmap!! I love going out on a cold winter night and looking at the lights. Here are some suggestions:

-- Carver, MA. Edaville Railroad, to Jan 1. My favorite! http://www.edaville.com

-- Springfield, MA. Bright Night at Forest Park. Nov 21-Jan 1. Rt 83, . 413-733-3800. 550,000 lights. My 2nd favorite. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo at same time. Daily. http://www.brightnights.org

-- Attleboro, MA. La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights, Nov 22 - Jan 1, 947 Park Street. 508-222-5410. Daily. Very religious, it's a shrine. 250,000 lights. http://www.lasalette-shrine.org

-- Stoneham, MA. Stone Zoo's Zoolights, Nov 22 - Dec 30. 49 Pond Street. 617-989-2000. Convenient to Boston, but the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the park is not spectacularly lit. http://www.stonezoo.org

-- Campton, NH. White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park, Nov 22 - Dec 30, Branch Brook Campground. 603-726-7001. Exit 28 off I-93. Fri-Sun, 4:30- 8:30pm. http://www.holidaymagiclightpark.com

-- Sandwich, MA. Heritage Museum Spectacle of Lights, Nov 23 - Dec 31, 67 Grove Street. 508-888-3300. 1 million lights. http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/2007spectacleof_lights

Also, no lights are involved but Charmingfare Farm is holding a celebration Nov 24 - Dec 23, off Route 27 in Candia, NH. 603-483-5623. Santa train ride Nov 24-Dec 2, then Santa's Big Party to Dec 23. Live reindeer. Petting zoo. Sat, Sun only. http://www.visitthefarm.com

Quincy is having a Christmas Parade. No wimpy-ass "holiday" celebration for Quincy. Go Christians! Hancock Street from Elm to East Squantum, Begins at 12:30 PM. http://www.discoverquincy.com/calendar.htm

It's so cold now that I'm no longer against sitting indoors at night. Theatre shows include:

-- To Kill a Mockingbird, you know, a play based on the book about racial injustice they made you read in high school and you actually liked it. Thru Nov 25. Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston. 617-879-2300. http://www.wheelock.edu/wft

-- The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a play that describes the events of the Salem witch trials of the 17th century. Through Nov 25 in Salem, MA. http://www.salemtheatre.com/

Continuing events:

-- Ice skating on Boston Common, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- The Mystery of Edwin Drood, based loosely on a Charles Dickens novel, and winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. And they ask the audience to solve the crime. Nov 16 - Dec 15,

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

-- National Novel Writing Month, to Nov 30, http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Johnny

Hi everyone,

There's an event Friday, Saturday, Sunday called "A Night At the Rock Opera", with a lot of 1970s greats including Queen and the Beatles and Jesus Christ Superstar.

I have a friend who's offering discount tix and thought I would pass it along. See http://www.anatro.com/ for the writeup and contact me to get in touch with my friend.

-Johnny

Hey-o,

Juggle Mania III at MIT is Saturday, Nov 17, at 7pm, and it's free.

That's in MIT room 54-100. http://web.mit.edu/juggle/www/

-Johnny

Hi New England,

You want weird events? We got 'em.

Tomorrow, Monday is Veterans Day, but now that the parade's over, I'm unaware of anything special going on.

On Boston Common, they have an ice skating rink called Frog Pond. Every year they have "opening day" which is free and has performances by famous ice skaters. I've been twice and it's wonderful, highly recommended. Nov 15. They'll then be open, including skate rentals, throughout the season. Oh, and I've just learned that private parties may rent the rink Monday nights. 617 635-2120. http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

In an attempt to draw tourists, somebody in Plymouth has renamed the city "America's Hometown" as in "America's Hometown USA Thanksgiving Parade". That's Nov 17, in Plymouth, MA. 508-746-1818. They'll have singing and military demonstrations, as well. http://americashometown.org

Then afterwards, catch Dane Cook, the comedian, performing Nov 17 at the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA. The Bruce Springsteen performs Nov 18-19. http://www.ticketmaster.com

Watson Adventures runs a number of "scavenger hunts" around popular tourist destinations, and sometimes I'll post one that seems original. November 17 they're having "The Museum of Science Scavenger Hunt". This involves attending the Museum and running all over gathering clues. http://www.watsonadventures.com

There's an LGBTA group called the Imperial Court, and they're having a "Coronation" masquerade on Nov 15-18. I did read the Web site and I'm really not sure what it is. But it sure is weird and I'm sure a lot of revelry goes on. http://www.impcourt.org/massachusetts/coronation.php

Also in the "What is it?" category, Portsmouth NH is having a "Festival of Trees", Nov 17-18. As near as I can figure out, 200 community groups each decorate a holiday tree and compete for prizes. There is NO mud wrestling. But there's a gingerbread house contest. Portsmouth, NH. 603-610-5510. 1:00 - 8:00 pm @ the Urban Forestry Center. http://www.portsmouthchamber.org

Need some murder mystery in your life? Here are a few venues to try:

-- Way out in Western Mass, at the Salem Cross Inn, in West Brookfield, MA. 508-867-2345. The next one is Nov 16. http://www.salemcrossinn.com/diningevents.htm

-- The Mobfather at the Mystery Cafe is Nov 17 at 7:30pm. In Boston's North End at Ricardos, 175 North St., Boston, MA. (781) 784-7469. And other shows, including an overnight at a mansion in Dedham. http://mysterycafe.com/indexboston.htm

-- The Mystery of Edwin Drood, based loosely on a Charles Dickens novel, and winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. And they ask the audience to solve the crime. Nov 16 - Dec 15, Boston. http://www.speakeasystage.com/

-- Every Friday in Newport, RI at the Newport Dinner Train, http://www.newportdinnertrain.com/docs/schedule.htm

-- Or try an entire Murder Mystery Weekend in West Dover, VT. 802-464-5281. The next one is Nov 30 - Dec 2. http://www.murdermysteryweekend.com

Speaking of weekend getaways, why not head out to a bed & breakfast in Northampton, MA and try the outdoor rooftop hot tub at East Heaven. I did this once and it was great. 33 West St, Northampton, MA. 413-587-0000. http://www.eastheaven.com

The Salem Cross Inn also has "Fireplace Feasts", where they recreate the 1700s. They even have horse drawn sled rides when there's snow. Most weekends, November to April. http://www.salemcrossinn.com/DiningEvents/fireplacefeast.htm

At Wellesley, they're having a "Hindu Festival of Lights" on Nov 15, 5-8pm. https://calendar.wellesley.edu/wv3public/wv3bservlet/urd/run/wvevent.Detail?id=770922

Donnie Darko, the creepy movie about time travel and a giant rabbit, is now a theatre show. To Nov 18. http://www.amrep.org/darko/

The Boston International Fine Art Show is Nov 15-18, at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, MA. Don't spread this around, but basically it's a gallery event. They want you to buy buy buy. It's just $12 to get in, so dress fancy and have gallery staff fawn over you like you're rich. I did that once (accidentally, I swear) and it was fun. http://www.fineartboston.com

Also $12 is the Paradise City Arts Festival, Nov 16-18, at the Royal Plaza Trade Center, in Marlborough, MA. 800.511.9725. Rt 495 to exit 24B (Rt 20W). F 10-6, S 10-6, S 11-5. http://www.paradisecityarts.com

Merchant events disguised as festivals abound this week. The Ski & Snowboard Expo is at the BaySide Expo Center, Nov 15-18. http://www.baysideexpo.com/eventDetail.php?id=1176131184

This one's more colorful, it's the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair. Nov 16-18, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. 617-954-2000. Fri 5-9, Sat 12-6, Sun 12-5. Rather than just a big sales event, they'll have several book signings and lectures. http://www.bostonbookfair.com/about-the-fair/activities-at-the-fair/

The BU Law School is hosting a panel and "town meeting" on modern slavery. One of their panelists is a freed slave from Lebanon. Nov 14, 6-9pm. Boston. http://www.bu.edu/law/events/upcoming/index.html

Like racing cars? Try "RC Excitement", which is Remote Controlled Car Racing, at 208 Bemis Rd in Fitchburg, MA. 978-342-3374. http://www.rcexcitement.com

One step up, this one will take you straight back to your high school years. The Good Time Emporium is the largest indoor arcade in New England. And it's right in Somerville, at 30 Assembly Square Drive. 617-628-5559. It's open every day of the year, they say. They have laser tag, bumper cars, batting cages, pool, racing cars, and tons of video arcade machines. http://www.goodtimeemporium.com

If you happen to be going to Scarborough Maine, Maine Indoor Karting, whichi s how they spell "Go Carts" in Maine, is at http://www.maineindoorkarting.com

One more step up, there's a place where it's more of a sport than a kid's game. It's F1 Boston, at 290 Wood Road in Braintree, MA. 781-848-2300. It's a little expensive, but great fun and you get to dress up in a racing jumpsuit, too. http://www.f1boston.com

And of course, if you're totally nutty, rent an All Terrin Vehicle (ATV) and go driving madly around forest and mountain trails. http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/massachusettstrailsmaps/MassachusettsATVTrailsTracksMapsandDirectionsForATVRiding.htm

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead, the knockout play by Tom Stoppard, is a must-see if you're a Shakespeare fan. It's a parody on Hamlet, sort of. http://home.comcast.net/~counterproductionstheatre/Site/CounterProductionsTheatre.html

It's the season for holiday light displays. The first is in Carver, MA. It's Edaville Railroad's Christmas Festival of Lights, to Jan 1, http://www.edaville.com

Continuing events:

-- "Vampire", to Nov 17, in Watertown. http://www.whistlerinthedark.com/

-- Canstruction to Nov 17, http://www.canstruction.com

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

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

It's not too cold yet to go for a long walk outdoors, so go do it. Finally, I may have more later in the week, check http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com

I sprained my ankle! Send love. See you next week!

-Johnny

Hi all,

Here be the weird!

The weird event of the week is the Roman Legion Re-enactment at the Higgins Armory Museum. Nov 10. They will present arms and demonstrations of the 60 BC period. I've been to the Higgins and it's worth seeing. Worcester, MA. http://www.higgins.org/Calendar/

SpaceVision is the annual conference of the MIT club of space travel enthusiasts. Nov 9-12. It appears to be a series of speeches by presumably notable engineers and spacers, but no bios or topics are given. http://spacevision.seds.org

Battle of the Lawyers is a recreation of the legal arguments in several famous cases. No idea how accessible it is to the layman, best guess: not very. Nov 8. Millstein Hall Auditorium, 10 Winter Place, Boston, MA. 5:30pm-8pm. http://events.lawyersweekly.com

A Quilters' Gathering is the largest annual quilting show in New England, with competition entries from all over the world. I'm a manly man, and I went to a quilting show and thought it was great, it's not so much about knitting and more about genuine art on display. Nov 8-11, Radisson Hotel, Nashua, NH. http://www.aquiltersgathering.com

The Allston/Brighton Open Studios is Nov 10-11. Allston, MA. 617.254.3333. Local arts exhibition. 12-6pm. It's yet another excuse to interact with local artists, and it's in just one location so it's not an excuse to walk around the heighborhood interacting with college students with hangovers. http://www.allstonarts.org

They're having a lecture about Guy Fawkes Day. If you've seen the movie V for Vendetta, it's that guy. Monday Nov 5 at 6:30pm in Boston at the Old State House in Boston. http://www.bostonhistory.org/exhibcal.php

Monday November 5th, the Thomas Crane Library is hosting a Silent Movie with a piano performance! 40 Washington St., Quincy, MA 02269. 7-8:30pm. 617-376-1325 or 617-376-1301. http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=TCPL

Next Monday, Nov 12, is Veterans Day! They're having the Boston Veterans Day Parade, Nov 11 (a Sunday). If you can't go, just visit any cemetery and have a moment of silence. Mt. Auburn Cemetery and Forest Hills are both lovely. http://www.cityofboston.gov/arts

Veteran's Day Kite Fly. Nov 11, at both PJPII Park in Boston, and Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CT. http://www.kone.org and http://www.mass.info/boston.ma/parks/popejohnpauliiparkreservation.htm

The Boston Bhangra Competition is Nov 10. Orpheum Theatre, 1 School St, Boston, MA. 617-679-0810. What's interesting is that they don't explain what Bhangra is anywhere on the Web site. It appears to be a kind of South Asian dance or performance, with lots of college-based teams competing. http://www.bostonbhangra.com/bbc/

Perhaps they'd like to compete with Visions of the East, a bellydance performance. It's Nov 11 at the MIT Kresge Little Theatre on the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA. 7pm. Middle eastern dances from a variety of countries. http://www.joharasnakedance.com

If you can afford it, is the Comics Come Home performance, which is a fundraising for cancer charities. Um, I mean, cancer *fighting* charities. Nov 10. 7:30pm. Comedian Denis Leary and others. http://www.agganisarena.com

Much less expensive, ImprovBoston is an improvisational comedy troupe located in Inman Square (but soon to move to Central Square). I attended their "Theatre Sports" event and it was really good, probably the best improv I've seen. Fridays at http://www.improvboston.com/

Another Friday event, Friday November 9th the "Bad Poetry Society" is reading some of the world's worst poetry, 8-9pm, at the Spiegel Auditorium in Cambridge MA. I was not able to confirm this event is happening.

The Irish Film Festival is Nov 8-11, in Cambridge, MA. More than 30 films showcasing Irish producers. Brattle Theatre. More than just a bunch of films, they'll have symposiums on topics including "how to distribute your short film". http://www.irishfilmfestival.com

I just heard that the Museum of Fine Arts has a Napoleon exhibit. Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800-1815, runs through Jan 27. All sorts of furniture, jewelry, textiles, and some of Josephine's dresses. http://www.mfa.org

Spencers Theatre of Illusion is Nov 10, way out West in Springfield. They're magicians, it looked neat. http://citystage.symphonyhall.com and http://www.spencersmagic.com/

The Police will not be standing too close to you, Nov 11 at the TDBanknorth Garden. Boston, MA. And Van Halen, Nov 6. http://www.ticketmaster.com

If you're a woman, chances are good that you've been inspired by Maya Angelou, Pulitzer Prize winner. She even won a Grammy for reading from one of her books. So come hear her read. Monday at Salem State College, 8pm, http://www.salemstate.edu/series/speakers/0708angelou.php

Famous linguistics professor Steven Pinker is hawking a new book. I heard him on NPR and he's an entertaining lecturers. So check out "Writing as Psychology", November 7th, at 4:30pm at Boylston Hall, 1 Harvard Yard, 95 Dunster St, in Cambridge, MA. (617) 669-1522. http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/calendar/lectures.html

Marc Cohn plays at the Somerville Theatre on Nov 9. You know the guy who's always "Walking in Memphis". http://www.somervilletheatreonline.com

Now that it's too cold to be outdoors at night, it's a good time to get tapped into the theatre scene. I'll work up some more shows for next week, but I happened to notice "Vampire", which is at turns a comedy or a nightmare about vampires across history. November 3-17, in Watertown. http://www.whistlerinthedark.com/

Did you know that's already Christmas? It actually happened November 2nd but I gave you a break and didn't tell you that there was a gift industry trade show that day. It's inevitable and it's coming like a steamroller so the best way to survive is to go along with the flow and sing a happy tune.

Well, Edaville Railroad is getting in on the action. Every year a number of amusement parks decorate themselves with holiday lights and Edaville is the biggest (although arguably not the best, since many of their displays are aging). I went last year and it was great fun, um, if you're a Christian. Or just like lights. You can ride the ferris wheel, merry go round, and take a train ride, all at nighttime. Edaville Railroad's Christmas Festival of Lights, Nov 9 - Jan 1, Pine Street, Carver, MA. 877-EDAVILLE. Rt 3S to exit 6, Rt 44W for 8 miles to Rt 58 for 8 miles. 20-minute train ride, ferris wheel, merry go round, 7 million lights! Fireworks every Friday night in December. See website for coupons. Santa lets children sit on his lap, too. Daily. Very good, really worth seeing. http://www.edaville.com

Continuing events:

-- The Boston Jewish Film Festival, to Nov 11, http://www.bjff.org

-- Canstruction to Nov 17, http://www.canstruction.com

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

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

-- Out on the Edge Festival to Nov 10, http://thetheateroffensive.org/oote_07/index.htm

-- Wicked, to Nov 11. http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33.

That ought to hold you for a week.

-Johnny

Hi!

Two quickies. There's yet another open studios, except it's all in one location, so no strolling around the neighborhood. The Waltham Mills Open Studios is Nov 3-4, 144 Moody Street, Waltham, MA. http://www.wmaastudios.org/os.asp

Oliver Sacks, the psychologist who wrote "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat" is speaking and hawking a new book of course, Nov 5th. I'm announcing this early because it'll probably sell out. First Parish Church, 3 Church St, Cambridge, MA. 617-661-1515. http://www.harvard.com or oliversacks.com

-Johnny