January 2008 Archives

Hey-o,

If you've been complaining about the weather lately, I have two words for you: New Orleans. A hurricaine destroyed their entire town. So stop your moaning and enjoy New England.

The Higgins Armory Museum has tons of renaissance and medeival weaponry and armor. They are doing a demonstration day on Feb 2, at 1pm and 3pm. 100 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA. 508-853-6015. http://www.higgins.org/Calendar/

The MIT 6.270 Robot Competition continues Jan 31 at 6pm in MIT Room 26-100. The robots are autonomous -- no joysticks or human intervention. http://web.mit.edu/6.270/

Also with autonomous robots! Come watch and see if the Huge Robot Takeover will begin. Maslab Robotics Contest, Feb 2, MIT room 26-100, Cambridge, MA. http://maslab.mit.edu

It's sister competition involves simulated robots fighting on a computer screen. I think it's just as fun. MIT 6.370 Robot Competition, Feb 1, MIT Kresge Auditorium, Cambridge, MA. 7-9pm, Feb 1. Students build software-only robots and have them compete in a virtual world. http://web.mit.edu/6.370

Charm School at MIT is the college's way of training people, who may just be geeks, how to receive a compliment, how to tie a necktie, how to set a table for a fancy dinner, and so forth. They don't check IDs or anything. If you're geeky, they'll teach you. Feb 1. Student Center, MIT, Cambridge, MA. 12-5pm. No signup required. http://web.mit.edu/charm/schedule.html

Already know how to socialize? Do you like to flirt? Midnight Seduction is a flirting party that's free. It's for people who are edgy and goth and own a lot of black. Feb 2. http://myspace.com/bostonseduction

There's just something about pancakes that builds a village. You pay $6 towards charity and then eat all the pancakes you want until you start to hurt youreslf. Yum! Pancakes for ART on Groundhog Day, Feb 2, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse Blvd., Somerville, MA. 10am-2pm. http://www.artsomerville.org

Here are three theatre events that are both weird and creative.

Mortified Boston is when everyday people share their most embarassing moments. It's like a storytelling, poetry night thing. Feb 6, Paradise Lounge, 967 Comm Ave, Boston, MA. http://www.getmortified.com/live/

True Story Theatre flips it around. They take comments from the audience about true stories and then their cast acts it out for everyone. I've seen this one and yes it sounds stupid but also yes it is actually great fun. Try it. Sunday February 10, 3-6pm, Free, Roxbury Center for the Arts, at Hibernian Hall, 182-184 Dudley St., Roxbury, MA. http://www.truestorytheater.org/calendar.html

Finally, "Storytelling for Grownups" is an open mic for storytellers, hosted by Laura Packer, whom I've seen perform and highly recommend. It's the 2nd Friday of each month so that's really next week, Feb 8th. Medford. Also free. http://www.bestsellers-cafe.com/events.asp

Every year there's a nationwide college-level competition called the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. I went last year and it was inexpensive and quite amazing. Jan 29-Feb 3. The New England portion of the festival takes place at Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St, Fitchburg, MA. (978) 534-9000. http://www.kcactf1.org

There's a performance that caught my eye, the Dance Complex Winter Shared Choreographers' Concert. It's basically where new and local artists get to perform their works. Feb 1-2, 8pm, at the Historic Odd Fellows Hall, 536 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA. 617-547-9363. I'm sure it will be very Cambridge, i.e. fruity. http://www.dancecomplex.org

Less fruity and more edgy! And more expensive! "Break! The Urban Funk Spectacular" is Feb 1-2, at the Blackman Theatre, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA. 617-373-4700. Breakdancing and hip hop. I like how they threw the work "urban" in there so that city socialites would get it. http://www.breakshow.com/dancers.html

The Going Green Boston Expo is happening Feb 2-3 at the Bayside Expo Center in Boston, MA. Although their Web site doesn't have much information, I gather that it involves a lot of workshops and information booths about this whole global warming thing. They'll have an Eco-Fashion show, which just sounds bad, doesn't it, but also some Energy & Living Workshops which I bet are fantastic and a bunch of kids events too, http://www.goinggreenexpos.com/Boston/

While you're there, check out the Vietnamese TET Celebration. I only know one annual Vietnamese celebration in Boston and this is it. I was unable to find any specific information about this, but I believe it's like their Xmas celebration and if it's taking place at the Bayside Expo Center, it must be large, so it probably involves music and dancing. Feb 2, Bayside Expo Center, Boston, MA. 617-474-6000. http://www.baysideexpo.com/eventDetail.php?id=1165414045

ImprovBoston, the improvisational comedy club is moving from Inman Square (nowhere near the subway) to directly in Central Square. Until Feb 9 you can catch them at the YMCA and then finally they rest Feb 15 at 40 Prospect Street.

There are so few events in February that I'm going to mention that it's time for the First Friday events at the MFA, the BCA, and the SoWa district. Are they for singles? Yes, but everyone artsy or artsy-wannabe like me is invited. http://www.mfa.org/calendar/sub.asp?key=12&subkey=73 and http://www.bcaonline.org and http://www.sowaartists.com/

Henry V, the sequel to Henry I: Curse of the Black Pearl, and Henry IV: This Time It's Pesonal. To Feb 3. Downstairs at the Garage, 38 JFK St, Cambridge, MA. 866-811-4111. http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Events/Henry-V.aspx

Chess, which is also a play, by that Phantom of the Opera guy, Feb 1-Mar 2, Turtle Lane Playhouse, 283 Melrose St, Newton, MA. 617-244-0169. I've seen the play, although not by this group, and it's great. http://www.turtlelane.org/

Have you heard of the Old State House? It's one of those important Boston landmarks you glimpsed briefly on the Freedom Trail and then forgot entirely. Well, it's free during the month of January, which ends tomorrow, Thursday. 206 Washington St , Boston, MA. http://www.bostonhistory.org/

Oh, also I heard this Sunday there's something Super that involves Bowling. Whatever.

Again, where to go ice skating:

-- Kendall Square, Cambridge. Mon 12-5, Tue-Thu 12-8, Fri 12-9, Sat 11-9, Sun 11-6. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston. Mon 10-5, Tue-Thu 10-9, Fri/Sat 10-10, Sun 10-9, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617.234.8008. Mon-Fri 2-8, Sat/Sun 10-8. http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. To March 4. Tue Thu 10-12, Fri 7:30-9:30pm, Sat/Sun 12-5pm. 23 Newton Street, Brookline. 617-739-7518. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- Other places, http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Continuing events:

-- African American Theatre Festival, to Feb 9, http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=5225&src=t

-- The Little Dog Laughed, to Feb 16, http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=4441&src=t

That's only 26 things to do, so here are a few more regularly recurring activities as we wait for the Spring to come and for event season to bloom again.

Art Interactive is right next to me and I've never been. Shame, shame. It is some kind of museum. The Web site is opaque but it seems to be interactive with visitors which is my kind of museum! Thursday through Saturday 12-6pm. 130 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA, 617-498-0100. http://www.artinteractive.org

Plenty of local colleges have museums. I've seen the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, and it really makes you say, WOW! How can this tiny museum pack a punch like this. 415 South St, Waltham, MA. 781 736 3434. Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 pm. http://www.brandeis.edu/rose

Or check out the Davis Museum and Cultural Center at Wellesley College. 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA. 781.283.2051. Rt 135 W, left into main Wellesley College entrance. Down the hill, bldg at 3rd right. http://www.davismuseum.wellesley.edu

This one is so secret they actually prefer us not to list it. Well, I'm listing it anyway. It's the The Museum of World War II and it claims to be the "most comprehensive" collection in the world. You have to schedule a private visit in advance by appointment, and I believe it's free. They also keep their location secret. This is to keep the skinheads out who might want to see those war uniforms for non-academic reasons. I've heard it is awesome. Natick, MA. 508-651-7696. http://www.museumofworldwarii.com

Another amazing local museum is the Peabody-Essex Museum, which is neither Peabody nor Essex, it is in Salem, MA. East India Square, Salem, MA. 978-745-9500. It's right in downtown near all the other Salem attractions. http://www.pem.org

Nearby, check out the The House of the Seven Gables, the actual house that the classic book was based on. Never heard of it? It's full of New England Old Timey Goodness. And witch burning. 115 Derby Street, Salem, MA. (978) 744-0991. http://www.7gables.org

Finally, if you want to give something special for Valentine's Day but can't think what, how about going to one of these Make Your Own Pottery places. Fear not, they don't actually set you loose on a pottery wheel. They give you premade but totally unpainted pottery, you paint something, and then they fire and glaze it. Voila. Cheap, amateur artwork your loved ones will want to throw out but will feel obligated to use, as a daily reminder of your lack of artistic talent.

In Brookline, Clayroom at 1408 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA. 617-566-7575. http://www.clayroom.com

In Cambridge, Made By Me, 1685 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. 617-354-8111. http://www.made-by-me.com

-Johnny

Hi!

Although Arisia is the biggest science fiction convention in New England, Harvard students run VERICON, a science fiction convention that managed to draw in Orson Scott Card, a bigger name than Arisia's guest of honor this year. Jan 25-27, www.vericon.org

-Johnny

Hello, happy event goers,

The weird event of the week is undoubtedly "Birka", the outdoor marketplace from the medeival era run by the Society for Creative Anachronism. It's one of the two big SCA festivals anywhere close to Boston. Jan 25-26, in Manchester, NH. Medeival market place, food, costuming, fight tournaments. Over 1,000 people attend. http://www.eastkingdom.org/event-list.html

Coming up a close second, have you ever wanted to go birdwatching? How about competitive birdwatching? It's the only event of this type I know of in New England, the "Superbowl of Birding". Jan 26, 5am-5pm. Basically you show up, spot and describe dozens of birds and see which team finds the most. I have to assume you don't have to actually arrive at 5am to participate. Joppa Flats, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA. 978-462-9998. http://www.massaudubon.org/NatureConnection/Sanctuaries/JoppaFlats/news.php?id=896&event=no

Maybe a whole lotta staying indoors is what you'd prefer to do than trek around in the snow hunting birds you don't get to eat. In that case, check out the Annual Science Fiction Marathon @ MIT LSC, Jan 26-27. Bring blankets, pillows, and tons of food and see both good and truly awful films. Cambridge. http://lsc.mit.edu

And if the birds aren't quite daring enough for you, perhaps you'd like to join the Hangover Classic, Jan 27. It's a race and then a polar swim, in which people actually dive into the freezing ocean. Salisbury Beach Center, MA, 11:30am, Bevie Bs, 3 Broadway Street. http://www.coolrunning.com/eventcal/index.php?location=USA:+Massachusetts

MIT students are organizing a "Chocolate Tour of Boston", Jan 26, http://student.mit.edu/iap/nslabchocolate.html and also a Milk Chocolate Tasting on Jan 30, http://web.mit.edu/~chocolatiers/www/iapcal2007.html

Slightly more dangerous, the MIT Bad Ideas Competition, Jan 25-27 is what happens when you mix engineering students, tons of plywood and nails, and some bad ideas. Once I saw a miniature roller coaster they had built. It starts with a BBQ on Friday and ends with a judging ceremony Sunday at 10pm. http://mit.edu/ec/www/bad-ideas/

There's also a robot competition which is much more structured and competitive. It's part of a winter break course, one of those student project courses that takes over your life. The MIT 6.270 Robot Competition, Jan 30-31, Cambridge, MA. Students build physical robots and have them compete. Jan 30 @ 5pm in 38-600, and Jan 31 @ 6pm in 26-100. http://web.mit.edu/6.270/

Way out west in Amherst, MA is the Eastern States Exposition, which is a huge fairgrounds they have agricultural events at throughout the year, and one big festival in the summer. This week the event at this venue is the Amherst Railway Society's Big Railroad Hobby Show, Jan 26-27. http://www.amherstrail.org/show/show.htm

I actually went to the stunt actor workshop I mentioned last week, and it turns out that they are having regular classes. They are only $5 and you get to be in a local independene movie, an action flick. Sundays 3-5pm, at The Stage Combat Studio at Baystate Fencers, 561 Windsor Street, Somerville, MA. http://www.savagegrace.org

The African American Theatre Festival is really a series of performances, not an outdoor fairgrounds, but I'm sure it's worth seeing. Jan 24-Feb 9, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. 617-426-5000. http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=5225&src=t

Here's a real festival! The Groveland Winter Festival really does feature both indoor and outdoor activities. As usual, they are tilting it towards children pout not adults. Jan 27, 12pm-5pm. Veasey Park, 201 Washington St., Groveland, MA. 978-521-9345. Groveland is near Haverhill, MA. Storytelling, Irish stepdancing, and bagpipes. http://www.veaseypark.org/happenings.htm

Colin Quinn, the former Saturday Night Live comedian, performs at the Comedy Connection in Boston, which is the only "club" venue in town that draws nation-level talent. Jan 25. http://www.symfonee.com/comedyconnection/boston/comedians/Bio.aspx?Uid=edbaea3b-33d8-11d5-8737-0001026c3d97

A lot of local farms make some extra money by opening themselves to the public, but not many have winter events. Wilson Farms is one of them, and it may be an especially good time to go and join their "Annual Farmer's Breakfast", Jan 26-27, 10am-2pm. Basically it's just an excuse to visit. There is a huge greenhouse and you can get a tour and buy fresh foods.

This is going to blow your mind. Next time you're in Harvard Square, you know where the Peet's Coffee is at 100 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA? Well directly behind it around Brattle Street is a triangular intersection with a small park. There's a tall monument made of brick with a slit in it. Stand in front of the monument and look at the park. What is it shaped like? (If you can't be bothered to try this in person, use Google maps on satellite mode.) Email me if you don't see it and want to know.

Not to be repetitive, but if you're fighting the cold, you'll lose. Try embracing it and be happy! Try ice skating:

-- Kendall Square, Cambridge. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge, http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. To March 4. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- Other places, http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Continuing events:

-- Independent Activities Period at MIT, http://web.mit.edu/iap/

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

-- SPAMALOT, Jan 15-27, http://www.citicenter.org/shows-wang.html#389

-- The Little Dog Laughed, to Feb 16, http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=4441&src=t

Finally, to flesh this list out a little, here are some more museums worth visiting.

There's an entire religion where they tell you, if you're sick, not to visit a hospital. If you'd like to give them some of your money, the Christian Science Church has their headquarters right here in Boston, featuring the "Mapparium", which is a huge globe you can walk through. And fun facts about the church. 200 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA. 800-288-7155. http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org

Boston has quite a few hidden preserved homes from the 18th and 19th centuries. Check out:

-- Boston. The Nichols House Museum, at 55 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, MA. 617-227-6993, http://www.nicholshousemuseum.org

-- Cambridge. The Hooper-Lee-Nichols House, 159 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA, at http://www.cambridgehistory.org/HLNHouse/HLNmain.htm

-- Jamaica Plain. The Loring-Greenough House at 12 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. 617-524-3158. http://www.lghouse.org/

-- Boston. The Otis House Museum, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA. 617-227-3956. http://www.historicnewengland.org

And why not stop by the New England Genealogical Society and try to find out more about your ancestors? 101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA. 617-536-5740. http://www.newenglandancestors.org

Leaving the Metro area, if you live out West and are tired of the Museum of Science in Boston, you have your very own kids museum, the Discovery Museums, 177 Main St, Acton, MA. 978-264-4200. http://www.discoverymuseums.org

Or if you feel you've "done" Plimoth Plantation too many times, why not check out the Canterbury Shaker Village, an original religious community of Shakers, at 288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH. (603) 783-9511. http://www.shakers.org

My personal favorite is Old Sturbridge Village, in Sturbridge, MA. http://www.osv.org. Just go, highly recommended.

How about seeing some defunct warships? The US Naval Shipbuilding Museum & USS Salem is conveniently in Quincy, MA at 739 Washington Street. It is accessible by MBTA. 617-479-7900. http://www.uss-salem.org/

Perhaps even more fun, however, is Battleship Cove, where they have an actual WWII battleship and some submarines, too. 5 Water St, Fall River, MA. 800-533-3194. http://www.battleshipcove.org

The ultimate day trip, and well worth it if you drive, is the MASS MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art). After the MFA, the Museum of Science, and the DeCordova Sculpture Museum (http://www.decordova.org), it is my favorite. It's way out in Western MA so combine a number of things in the Berkshires and make it a whole day or a whole weekend. 87 Marshall St, North Adams, MA. 413-662-2111. http://www.massmoca.org

Let's say that you were driving out West to MASS MoCA and wanted to know what else is going on in that region. My spreadsheet lists basically everything and is a convenient guide to "repeating" attractions everywhere. Plus it contains recommendations on ski resorts and clubs, etc. You can get it at http://activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls or just email and ask for a fresh one.

-Johnny

Hi,

TODAY, the Battle of the Brownies at MIT, 7-8pm in MIT room W20-407. See the Web site map. http://student.mit.edu/iap/nslabchocolate.html

The weird event of the week is learning to become a stunt actor, at Boston Movie Studios. At 2pm on Jan 20, they will have classes to learn bar room brawling, sword fighting for film, basic handgun safety, martial arts and story telling through action. Free but $5 donation requested. If you have talent you'll get to be part of the Boston Independent Film Festival. (This is their way of saying they're not going to pay you anything for risking your life.) The Stage Combat Studio at Baystate Fencers, 561 Windsor Street, Somerville, MA.

Also this week is Arisia, the biggest SF convention in New England. It's a broad conference, so if you're a broad, check it out. What I mean to say is, they cover everything from science fiction to fantasy to anime. Jan 18-21. Cambridge. http://www.arisia.org

Also weird, the Annual MIT Mystery Hunt! It's a puzzle hunt competition where the clues are so difficult that it almost isn't fun anymore. Maybe they should make a "junior hunt" that takes at most 5 hours and limits teams to 2 people. http://web.mit.edu/puzzle/www/

I've been saving this one for an especially cold week. There is a completly indoor, all-season water park in New England. Yay! It's the CoCo Key Water Resort at the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel, 50 Ferncroft Rd., Danvers, MA. (978) 777-2500. It's fairly expensive but they have family rates and group rates. http://www.cocokeywaterresort.com

It's Martin Luther King weekend, and the City of Boston is celebrating. On Monday, Jan 21, there will be a speech at Faneuil Hall. http://www.cityofboston.gov/news/default.aspx?id=3750

The Gardner Museum has a special night every 3rd Thursday, and you can mingle, drink cocktails, and even take a drawing class. The story of the Gardner is basically this. A rich but crazy lady bought all the art she could get her hands on, and told her trustees that if they ever modify any of the exhibits, the entire museum will be sold off. So they change nothing. But they are planning an extension. Those sneaky trustees! Also, people named Isabella get free admission. Anyway, I've been and it's worth seeing. Yes, they do have a garden. http://www.gardnermuseum.org/afterhours/event_january.asp

What's better than shopping! Instead of visiting "galleries", i.e. retail stores for art you can't afford, go see some antiques and who knows, maybe you'll find something priceless, cheap. The Greater Boston Antiques Festival is Jan 19-20, at the Shriner's Auditorium in Wilmington, MA. (781) 862-4039. http://www.neantiqueshows.com/

Because it's too cold to be outdoors, it's a great time to see some theatre shows. The Little Dog Laughed runs Jan 18 to Feb 16, it caught my attention as being witty and romantic and comic, and it's the Boston premiere of this Broadway hit. Boston. http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=4441&src=t

Everyone I've asked to go ice skating with me lately seems to feel they Just Might Die. Get a spine, people! It's not that hard. Just schlep around and make baby steps and you won't fall flat, I promise. Here's where to go:

-- Kendall Square, Cambridge. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge, http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. To March 4. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- Other places, http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Continuing events:

-- Independent Activities Period at MIT, http://web.mit.edu/iap/

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

-- SPAMALOT, Jan 15-27, http://www.citicenter.org/shows-wang.html#389

Finally, this list isn't nearly long enough, since January and February are slow months for activities. So it's a good time to check out some local museums. Here are some recommendations. Because New England has so many brainy, arty people, even our small museums really pack a punch!

MIT has several museums, but my favorites are the MIT List Visual Arts Center, which is free and has a bunch of strange videos, at http://web.mit.edu/lvac/www/ and The MIT Museum, which was just renovated, at 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 617-253-4444. It's a truly world class museum and worth visiting. And every 3rd Sunday of the month is free admission.

Did you know that you can eat brunch at the Museum of Science in their skyline room? The Museum sits directly on the Charles River and it's truly a spectacular setting. They also have an IMAX theater, a planetarium, a butterfly garden, and huge amount more. Science Park, Boston, MA. (617) 723-2500. Free to MIT students and alumni. http://www.mos.org

I've never been to either of these, but the next time you're near Boston Common, check out the Museum of Afro-American History & Black Heritage Trail. 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA. 617-725-0022. Also, Black Heritage Trail tours start off from there. http://www.afroammuseum.org

Also see the National Center of Afro-American Artists, 300 Walnut Avenue, Boston, MA. 617-442-8614. http://www.ncaaa.org

Staying with the ethnic theme, did you know that the biggest Armenian museum, at least on Google, is in Watertown? The Armenian Library and Museum of America is at 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA. 617-926-2562. http://www.armenianlibraryandmuseum.org/

Also on the ethnicities that have been hurt a lot theme, the Semitic Museum has all kinds of Israeli and other Jewish artifacts. That's at 6 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA. (617) 495-4631. It's part of Harvard. http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~semitic/

While you're at Harvard, how could you fail to visit the Harvard University Art Museums (Fogg and Sackler). 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA. (617) 495-9400. The Sackler is at 485 Broadway. Free Saturdays 10-12 and everyday after 4:30pm.http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu

Right next door is the Peabody Museum, which I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, is where they dumped the artifacts from all those "Livingstone I presume?" forays into deepest darkest Africa and Polynesia. http://www.peabody.harvard.edu

Also right next door, is the Harvard Museum of Natural History, which has the glass flower exhibit. Before they had freezers, making flowers from glass was the only way that botanists could really study flowers from around the world. Unfortunately, while it shows spectacular craftsmanship, the glass looks so much like flowers that you sort of shrug and say, oh look, a bunch of flowers. :)

Anyway, the museum -- which is NOT for naturists, you must wear clothes! -- also has a ton of rocks and other fun stuff from the era when all sciences were dumped into the term "natural history". 26 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA. (617) 495-3045. Free Sundays 9-12. AAA discount. http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu

-Johnny

Hi,

January and February are the least interesting months for weird events. It's a great time to visit a museum, see a theatre show, or go skiing.

The weird event of the month is Independent Activities Period at MIT. The entire college is closed for January but the students are there anyway, holding movie marathons, kickboxing demonstrations, a mustache growing competition, bagel throwing, mini-classes on every topic, and most of it is more or less open to the intellectual elites of the general public. See the huge calendar of events at http://web.mit.edu/iap/

Jan 12 is the Fetes De Rois, at the French Library and Cultural Center in Boston, MA. 617.912.0400. Centuries old French tradition, basically a party for kids. Limited space, RSVP. http://frenchlib.org

Do you like black and leather? A lot? A lot lot lot? Maybe you should be going to the Fetish Fair Fleamarket, Jan 11-13 at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, RI. Yes, they moved it from Massachusetts. http://www.nelaonline.org/fff.php

As part of the convention schedule, the Midnight Seduction party is running again. I list it because it's undeniably weird, and seems to be the most comfortable "intro" event for people looking for a little wildness. So if you're curious what sexperts do, basically this is it. http://www.nelaonline.org/fff30Schedule.php

The Boston Celtic Music Festival is Jan 11-13, at a variety of venues, including Club Passim, 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA. Participatory and performance Celtic dance. http://www.yellowcarmusic.com/bcmfest

I don't normally list music shows. You can pick up the Weekly Dig or The Phoenix for that. However, I've seen Robby Roadsteamer and he is a weird event all by himself. It's basically rock opera style progressive music with a comic twist. At the Middle East in Cambridge. Jan 12.

"Winter Trails Day" is a national marketing event where various venues will have free cross-country skiing and showshoeing. It's like downhill skiing without the height vertigo, with less risk of death and more exercise! For example, at Sunday River in Maine. http://www.sundayriverinn.com/WinterTrails.htm and also see http://www.wintertrails.org/ for other locations.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is open free Jan 10 for "AHA Night!", 5-9pm. They'll have various lectures. 18 Johnny Cake Rd, New Bedford, MA. 508-997-0046. http://www.whalingmuseum.org/calendar/indexcal.html. They seem to do this monthly, also see http://ahanewbedford.org

It's "First Friday" time again, so join artist and art lovers and art love posers for cocktails at the MFA, BCA, or SoWa. http://www.sowaartists.com or http://www.bcaonline.org or http://www.mfa.org/calendar/sub.asp?key=12&subkey=73

Ice skating:

-- Kendall Square, Cambridge. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge, http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. To March 4. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- For other ice skating locations in Boston Metro and beyond, see http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Here are a few theatre events coming up which you may want to buy advance tickets for:

-- RENT, Jan 8-13, Wang Theater, Boston, MA. http://www.citicenter.org

-- Chinese New Year Spectacular, Jan 10-12, Opera House, Boston, MA. They are just advertising the Chinese Hell out of this.

-- SPAMALOT, Jan 15-27, http://www.citicenter.org/shows-wang.html#389

-- Professional Bull Riders, which is basically a rodeo, Jan 11-13, Worcester, DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA. 617-931-2000. http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/821993

-- Golden Dragon Acrobats, Jan 13. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA. 617-482-2595. Tickets are pricey, $37-58. 3pm.

Continuing events, just one, the Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

Finally here's a little special for you: Where to go sledding around Greater Boston! Have corrections or any more to add?

-- Danehy Park, Cambridge. I've been there, a great one and where I usually go! For mapquest purposes, see 99 Sherman Street, Cambridge. Closest T stop: Alewife.

-- Blue Hills, in Canton. I've been there, it's great.

-- Olmsted Park, JP. From Rte. 9 south to Perkins Street, just before Jamaica Pond. Just south of Rte. 9 is a prime location for seeing ducks, swans and geese. Some great sledding toward Jamaica Pond.

-- Marine Park, South Boston, abutting the MDC Murphy Skating Rink

-- Boston Common has a hill, with the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.

-- Wellesley, MA. On the Wellesley campus, near Severance Hall

-- Belmont Country Club on Winter Street. I'm told the Oakley Country Club in Belmont off Belmont Street no longer allows sledders.

-- Mt. Hood in Melrose. Supposed to be great.

-- The Sheepsfold over in the Middlesex

-- Lexington High School has a pretty good hill behind it

-- Prospect Hill in Waltham. "Its a bit of a hike up but its awesome."

-- Allston/Brighton: Hobart Street Playground, Hobart and Raleigh Streets.

-- Edgerton Park, but I don't know where this is!! Allston?

-- Arnold Arboretum, South Boston.

-- Millenium Park, South Boston. 1205 VFW Pkwy, Boston. Although I've only been there in summer, I believe there are some big hills.

Too busy for more this week. Have fun!

I'm stressed out today and could use an email or two today from a friendly voice. Just write and say you like the events blog. What's your favorite event of the year? :)

-Johnny