March 2008 Archives

Hi everyone,

Here's what's coming up in New England.

The weird event of the week would have to be The Boston FIRST Robotics Competition. What's better than robots? Fighting robots! They claim to be the largest in Boston. March 28-29. Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Avenue. Boston, MA. Blue Man Group will make an appearance. Too lame to go? Watch it live on their Web cam. http://www.bostonfirst.org/

You heard it here first! Here's a weird one for you. Henna is the art of painting "tattoos" on your body. They are having a conference. The Northeast Henna Gathering is March 30, in Providence, RI. They'll have henna workshops and dance workshops too. Then a "Bellydance nightclub takeover"! Oo! http://www.hennabyheather.com/northeast.html

It's still St. Patrick's Day! There are parades on March 30 in Holyoke, MA and Manchester, NH. The one in Holyoke claims to be the 2nd largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the USA. Could that possibly be true? Mar 30. Mar 30. Holyoke High School, 500 Beech St. Holyoke, MA. Oh, there's also a Mummers Parade and a road race on March 29. http://www.holyokestpatricksparade.com and http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/boston/boston.htm

Did you miss the Burlesque Convention? Check out Burlesque Night at Sin-O-Matic. Mar 29. Boston. http://www.Sin-O-matic.net

If you have an excuse to be in Connecticut, they are having a museum exhibit on LEGO! The building brick toys are featured in "Architecture of the Imagination", thru Apr 17 at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Stamford, CT. It is easily the most interesting LEGO event I've ever seen. http://www.stamfordmuseum.org/

I recently took a tour of the new WGBH building. WGBH is the public TV in Boston, so if we lived in a dystopia, they'd be Big Brother. And their building could make it work. It's less than a year old and beautiful, and a great example of a "green" building. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm. http://www.wgbh.org/support/studiotours

Also, it's sort of Spring, so visit the Annual Open House at Tower Hill Botanical Garden. Mar 30. 11 French Drive. Bolyston, MA. I've never been, but I have to believe it's great. There are only a few major gardens in the Boston area. http://www.towerhillbg.org/thwebspecev.html

Speaking of green, here are two more Earth festivals:

-- MassImpact: Cities and Climate Change is March 28. It's at MIT in Cambridge, MA. Also June 9. Not just a bunch of lectures, they actually seem committed to make policy suggestions in New England. http://www.architects.org/massimpact

-- Also the Down:2:Earth Expo is Mar 28-30, at the Hynes Convention Center, which is a major location so it's probably going to be big. Boston, MA. Lots of green lectures and workshops, including how to eat bugs, and holding Eco-Chic Wedding! Hint: don't serve bugs at your wedding. Just don't! http://www.d2eboston.com/

Meanwhile, at the Seaport World Trade Center, they are not trying to save the planet. Just make money with a "festival" that's really all about sales. They will have some lectures, though. CraftBoston. Mar 28-30. 200 Seaport Boulevard. Boston, MA. 617.266.1810. Arts show & sale expo. F 10-6, S 10-6, S 11-5. http://www.craftboston.org

There's a swing dancing festival called "The Boston Tea Party". I guess the idea is that it's a party, and it's in Boston, so why not call it a tea party. Clever. As well as lots. Mar 27-30. An entire weekend of workshops, classes, and dance parties for swing, lindy hop, ballroom dancing. Also competition. Register in advance. They'll even have a "Wii Party". The Sheraton Ferncroft Resort, 50 Ferncroft Road. Danvers, MA. 978-777-2500. http://www.teapartyswings.com

I'm not really into ballroom dance: too many rules. If you're like me, perhaps you'd prefer the Dance Marathon at BU, which is an AIDS fundraiser. I'm sorry, an anti-AIDS fundraiser. (Those AIDS fundraisers are seriously sick.) It's 18 hours of dancing Mar 29-30. http://people.bu.edu/budm/

If you'd prefer to watch, try some modern dance. Mobilize, March 28, at Mobius, 725 Harrison Ave, Suite One, Boston, MA. 617.638.0020. Their Web site doesn't actually say what the performance is, but from the bios of the performers, if it's not dance, I'll eat my hat. http://mobius.org

Or perhaps you'd rather see the Harlem Globetrotters, which I'm super excited about, I'm going Sunday! March 29 and 30. TD Banknorth Garden. http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/806223

Last year I caught the Big Apple Circus and they were not fantastic, but definitely worth seeing. Perhaps one-third of the acts were like "Wow" level. Mar 29-May 4. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza. Boston, MA. (800) 922-3772. Buy tickets in advance.. http://www.bigapplecircus.org

I always think of the movie, The Music Man, when I read about HONK! It's a festival in Somerville involving lots of wind instruments. They're having a Festival Fundraiser on Mar 30, and it sounds like a lot of crazy fun musicians will be performing. The Dante Club, 3 Dante Terrace. Somerville, MA. http://honkfest.org/fundraiser.htm

There's aren't any Turkish cultural festivals in New England that I know of, so I was pleased to see the Boston Turkish Film Festival, Mar 27-Apr 6, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. http://www.mfa.org/calendar/sub.asp?key=12&subkey=6106

"Annie", the orphan, is playing at the CitiWang Theatre, Mar 25-30.

If anyone cares, They Might Be Giants is playing Mar 28. http://www.somervilletheatreonline.com/somerville/schedule/events.php

I think I'd rather see Avril Lavigne, with Girls Like Boys. Apr 1. Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Avenue. Boston, MA. That's a Boston University. When's my school (MIT) going to build a serious auditorium that can host talent like that? 617-931-2000

I found another improv comedy group, the Speed of Thought Players. They play every Saturday, including March 29, at the Elephant & Castle, 161 Devonshire St. Boston, MA. http://www.geocities.com/sotplayers/EVENTS.html

Here are some more improv groups:

-- I've never seen the Improv Foundry, at 327 Summer St, Studio 4, Boston, MA. 617-308-6421. http://www.improvfoundry.com

-- I did see the Improv Asylum once, and they seem to be Boston's most succcessful group, commercially if not creatively. 216 Hanover Street, Boston, MA. 617-263-6887. http://www.improvasylum.com

-- My favorite, based on being local to me and no other real reason, is Improv Boston. Frankly, shows vary, but all improv is like that. I've had mostly good experiences though, I recommend it! Now at their new location, 40 Prospect St. Cambridge, MA. 617-576-1253. http://www.improvboston.com

-- The Naked Comedy Showcase is the 1st Wednesday of the Month at ImprovBoston. Yes, they perform naked. That's about it. It's a gimmick, go with it. http://www.nakedcomedyshowcase.com

-- Does anyone know what happened to Tribe? I never went and now they seem to be gone from the Web.

The bonus event of the week is the Good Time Emporium, which is the largest indoor arcade in Boston. They are open 364 days a year, which I guess means I should list them for non-Christian activities at Xmas. Visit now because they may move to Natick soon. They're at the Assemnbly Square Mall in Somerville but you can get there by bus if you don't drive. They are so huge! I've been many times. They have laser tag, race cars, bumper cars, over 200 arcade games, 60 pool tables, batting cages, basketball court, bowling, food, and concerts. Get their Friday special, which is just $10 for unlimited access to bumper cars, go karts, and laser tag. http://www.goodtimeemporium.com/events.shtml

Continuing events:

-- Some Men, to Mar 29, http://www.BostonTheatreScene.com

-- Smuckers Stars on Ice featuring Sasha Cohen, to Apr 11. http://www.starsonice.com

I'm still seeking a roommate for May 1st in Cambridge. Brand new renovation, practically on top of the Porter Square subway & grocery store. This is a $1000 space but to find good party animal roommates I am offering rooms between $500 and $800. Email johnnydeppfun@yahoo.com

-Johnny

Hi!

How could I forget Easter! There are plenty of fun events happening, it turns out.

First, a correction. I got the address wrong for the Burlesque Expo, it is really at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA. http://www.burlesque-expo.com

Sick of Easter? Fend off the madness by going Jewish on Thursday March 20 at the Annual Purim Masquerade Extravaganza. I guess they thought it would be cute to throw an event and neglect to describe it. Apparently people play rock music, which is just like any other night at the Middle East, but they want you to wear costumes. Unfortunately, the whole point of wearing a costume is to mingle socially and be seen, and the whole point of a rock performance at the Middle East is to stand for 3 hours with no seating, ignoring everyone else and watching the band. So I'm not sure how well that'll go. Or what it has to do with the Jewish holiday Purim.

Now, here's the scoop on where to go Easter Egg hunting. Unfortunately, many of these choices are kids-only. Damn those kids. What makes them so special? I'm the one paying real taxes here.

-- Cambridge. Sun Mar 23 @ 12pm. Old Burying Ground easter egg hunt. This is associated with the First Parish church and there's nothing about it on their site. 3 Church St, Cambridge, MA. 617-876-7772. 12pm. The graveyard is actually behind the church to the north. http://www.firstparishcambridge.org

-- Plymouth. Plimoth Plantation is having an animal parade on March 22 followed by egg painting and hunt "for all ages". http://www.plimoth.org

-- Worcester. Although Wachusett Mountain's Easter Egg Hunt is for those lucky bastards ages 12 and under, there will be a parade, and you get to ski half price if you wear an easter bonnett or free if you wear a full bunny costume. http://wawa.wachusett.com/events/Easter%5FEgg%5FHunt/

-- Saugus. Breakheart Reservation, the state park, holds an Easter Egg Hunt March 22 at 12pm and the Easter Bunny is promised to make an appearance. They don't state any age limits. I'm 6'4" so I can usually see the eggs a lot better than the kids who are about 3 feet high. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/events/Easter%20Flyer%202008.pdf

-- Charlestown. The USS Constitution will have an Easter service, and if you time it just right you can arrive to miss the service but go on the egg hunt. 8am on March 23. http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/Announcements.htm

-- Wilmington, MA. There's an egg hunt March 22 on the town common at 12pm. Do not forget to use your elbows. Don't fall for the "crying kid" trap. Get those eggs. Stay focused. http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/old/events.htm

-- Norton, MA. The Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary is having an Easter Egg Hunt, March 22, from 12-3pm. If they try to make it kids only, tell them it's false advertising, as their flyer says nothing about this. http://www.winslowfarm.com/schedule2008.pdf

-- Lancaster, MA. March 23 at 9am, on the Town Green. http://www.falmouthchamber.com/more/calendar/event/50

-- Northampton, MA. The fascists at Look Memorial Park are limiting their Easter Egg Hunt to ages 10 and below, March 22. It's free. http://www.northamptonma.gov/recreation/SpecialEvents/

-- Falmouth, MA. March 22, ages 9 and under. I feel certain that I could defeat these children, if only I adopted a clever disguise. Or a fake ID. http://www.falmouthchamber.com/more/calendar/event/50

-- West Springfield, MA. Mar 22, ages 7 and under. I am pretty sure I cannot pass for a 7-yr-old. http://www.west-springfield.ma.us/PublicDocuments/WSpringfieldMARecDocs/Easteregghunt

-- Marblehead, MA. It gets worse. This one, March 22, is only for kids 5 and under. I guess when I turned 6, I was already an old-timer. My best years behind me. http://www.newcomersandnatives.com/events3.html

-- Brookline, MA. Daily egg hunts at Magic Beans, Mar 19-23. http://www.mbeans.com/brookline-calendar.html

-- Clinton, MA. Mar 22. http://www.clintonmass.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=16239

-- Duxbury, MA. Mar 22. http://www.town.duxbury.ma.us/publicdocuments/DuxburyMARecreatCal/S012ECEC8-012ECEEA?formid=161

-- Wellfleet, MA. Mar 22. http://www.wellfleetma.org/PublicDocuments/WellfleetMARecProgs/winter/013857F3-000F8513.0/Easter%20Egg%20Hunt%20Flier%202008.pdf

-- Mashpee, MA. Mar 22. Ages 2-10. http://www.ci.mashpee.ma.us/Pages/MashpeeMANews/0139231C-000F8513

Finally, I did find an Adult Easter Egg Hunt in Collinsville, CT. It was last week. Dang!

-Johnny

Hey-o,

   Here's the week in weird!

   TODAY! It's St. Patrick's Day! Get drunk.

   ALSO TODAY. Or, if you're like me and you find that boring and non-creative, and don't want to hear an Irish Leprauchan wannabe do a karoke version of "I Will Survive", then check out StoryLab at Club Passim. Run by Laura Packer, whom I've seen perform and recommend, they'll be telling Irish Stories. Mar 17. 47 Palmer St. Cambridge, MA. 8-10pm. This is weird. There's an ice skating show called

   The weird event of the week is International Pillow Fight Day, Mar 22. You show up with a pillow. You act innocent until the starting time. Then, fight! See http://tiny.cc/BostonFight or check www.misteriosos.org who is planning it all and has regular weird events, or http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9145433654

   Also weird, The Great Burlesque Expo, Mar 21-23. John Hancock Convention Center, 40 Trinity Place. Plenty of shows, a pool party, an art show, even burlesque dance lessons. http://www.burlesque-expo.com

   There's a local group called Revels that sometimes asks the public to come sing along. It's one of the few participatory sings in the area. The next one is Mar 19, Revels: Spring Sing, St. John's Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St, Watertown, MA. 7-9pm. http://www.revels.org

   If you'd prefer to sit in the audience, the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella may be for you. This is their semifinals for the biggest national competition. Mar 22 at Kresge Auditorium, MIT, 48 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 8pm. http://www.varsityvocals.com/icca/

   Are you a geek? Me too! Check out the hentai at Anime Boston, Mar 21-23, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA. Anime movies, costume contest, game shows, dancing, music video contest, and more. http://www.animeboston.com

   There aren't very main model train shows in New England, so I like to list them when they happen. The South Shore Model Railroad Club is having an Open House, Mar 22-23, in Billerica, MA. http://www.ssmrc.org

   It's still cold enough for me to list a film festival without disdain. The Boston Underground Film Festival is Mar 20-23, Boston, MA. 617-202-5059. They will have an opening party Thu Mar 20 and a closing party Sunday Mar 23. http://www.bostonunderground.org

   I'm too busy to put in fun extras this week, but you can see a bunch on my big list at http://activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls

   Continuing events:

   -- Avenue Q, to Mar 23, http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33                

   -- Boston Restaurant Week, to Mar 21, except Saturdays, http://www.restaurantweekboston.com

   -- Some Men, to Mar 29, http://www.BostonTheatreScene.com

   -- Smuckers Stars on Ice featuring Sasha Cohen, to Apr 11. http://www.starsonice.com

   I am seeking a roommate for Porter Square, Cambridge starting May 1st. It is directly across the street (less than a 1 minute walk) to the grocery store and subway stop there. The building is being completely renovated and all appliances, floors, walls will be brand new. This is a $1000/room space but to find good party animal roommates I am offering rooms between $500 and $800. We will have many adventures. Email me at johnnydeppfun@yahoo.com.

   Also, my company is hiring and I'm looking for a college student who'd like to browse the Web part-time or full-time. We have Web-based software that needs a human to guide it around. You get to work in the events community and become an expert like me on everything weird and wonderful. Also Cambridge. $12/hr, or full time negotiable. Email me at johnnydeppfun@yahoo.com.

-Johnny

Hi!

I could probably figure it out, but I wonder if anyone reading Johnny's List would like to help with search engine optimization or general promotion? It's silly that I have 250 readers after 2.5 months of writing. I've never tried to promote the blog and would like to. :)

My idea was to move all the livejournal archives into BlogSpot and, um, I'm not sure what next.

-Johnny

Hi all,

Hello weird events in New England, here we come! :)

St. Patrick's Day is the event of the week! Although the holiday is Monday, March 17, most of the parades are Sunday March 16, in Abington (1pm), South Boston (1pm), Scituate (1pm), and more will be coming up March 30. http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/boston/boston.htm

Speaking of St. Patrick's Day, the Irish band The Chieftains play Symphony Hall every year and in 2008 it's Mar 14 in Boston. http://www.thechieftains.com/news/tour2007.asp and yes, it really is the right 2008 date.

Also every bar in New England will be having a lame "celebration" which basically involves you showing up and buying their alcohol. See the Boston Phoenix for fun facts on these kind of events.

The geeky event of the week is a performance by the 501st New England Storm Troopers Garrison in the St. Patrick's day Parade! Yes, it's an entire squadron of geeks dressed like the "stormtroopers" in Star Wars. March 16. http://www.501neg.com

Not geeky enough? Perhaps you'd like to attend the Boston Comic Book Convention, Mar 16, 10am-5pm, at the Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St, Boston, MA. 508-320-1440. http://www.bostoncomiccon.com

Still not geeky enough? BarCamp is an MIT festival and conference to discuss technology. You can tell it's hardcore because they haven't bothered to give it a sexy name for marketing purposes. Mar 17-18 at the MIT Stata Center, Cambridge, MA. Free, no registration required. http://barcamp.org/BarCampBoston2

Have you heard of Evacuation Day? It's when, during the American Revolutionary War, the British and loyalists were forced out of the country. First they were cornered in Boston and they ended up taking off in ships. There is an Evacuation Day Ceremony on March 15. I don't really understand this. Everyone is traveling by bus? The festival takes place on a bus? And there's a "memorial service" on March 17. I have put a phone call in and will post more info on this to my livejournal at http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com. See http://www.evacuationday.com

Then March 15 and 16 they'll be showing maple trees being tapped! I've always wanted to see this. The "Sugaring Off Tours" will occur at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary on the North Shore. See http://www.massaudubon.org/NatureConnection/Sanctuaries/IpswichRiver/news.php?id=858-IP08WI1&news=no&sanccode=3

Hopefully I thwacked some common sense into you about a capella concerts. So go see WERS All A Cappella Live, Mar 15-16, at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston, MA. It features Rockapella which is one of the best groups ever. Live broadcast with major local college groups. http://www.maj.org

The Building Energy Conference is Mar 11-13. It's basically a trade show geared towards selling you green products like heat-saving windows. However, they'll have an Elvis impersonator, and other creative events. It's quite expensive to attend, but students can do it for $150. Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA. http://www.buildingenergy.nesea.org

This is weird. There's an ice skating show called "Smuckers Stars on Ice featuring Sasha Cohen". First off, yes, it's Smuckers as in the jam. I guess they are sponsoring it. Secondly, no it is not Sasha Baron Cohen the comedian from the film Borat! I seriously thought it was him at first! Apparently Sasha Cohen is an ice skating star. Anyway, yum, Mar 12 - Apr 11. http://www.starsonice.com

The Paradise City Arts Festival is Mar 14-16, and it's basically a gallery event where they want you to buy stuff. Royal Plaza Trade Center, 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

It's still winter, but only in New Hampshire. The Dummy Big Air Contest at Mt. Sunapee involves a huge ramp, mannequins, and awards for the best crash. Mar 16. New Hampshire. http://www.skinh.com/

It doesn't look too good for the Snowshoe Tours at the DeCordova Museum, March 15, unless you like walking around in snowshoes in the rain. Next year make in February, guys! Winter is over! http://www.decordova.org/decordova/info/calendar.html

Speaking of winter being over, it is almost open studios time. Go see "Art Party!" at the Brookline Artists Open Studios, Mar 15, 7-10pm, at the Brookline Arts Center, 86 Monmouth St, Brookline, near St. Mary's St. It's a preview to their open studios. http://www.brooklineart.net/artist/artParty08.htm

Have you heard of the musical Avenue Q? It won Best Musical in 2003 and it stars muppets but it's meant for adults, not kids. I saw it and loved it, check it out. Mar 11-23, http://broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Public.Web/Pages/SeasonTicketHolder/BAACity.aspx?cityID=33

Some Men is the new play by Terrence McNally, the 4-time Tony award winning playwright. Yes, I've never heard of him either. But it looks interesting, it's about same-sex marriage so it's bound to become dated, go see it now while it's fresh. To March 29. They have a "student rush" for empty seats 1 hour before curtain. I wonder how many theatres have this kind of program? http://www.BostonTheatreScene.com

Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" arrives Mar 16 in Lowell. You know, Irish stepdancing amazingness. Amazingosity. http://www.lowellauditorium.com/eventlistings.aspx

This week's bonus, where can you go at 4am to eat in the Boston area? My favorite is the IHOP in Brighton, which is at 1850 Soldiers Field Rd. If you don't know already, just take Storrow Drive west and it turns into Soldiers Field. 617-787-0533. You'll see plenty of night owls there, and it's open 24 hours.

Also there's the South Street Diner at 178 Kneeland St in Boston, MA, which is near Chinatown and I'm told it's awful. But also open 24 hours. 617 350-0028. Finally, "Boston Bowl" is a 24-hour bowling alley! They're at 820 Morrisey Blvd in Boston, MA and I've never been but would like to. 617-825-3800. It's always best to call bowling alleys ahead of time in case a club has all the lanes booked. http://www.bostonbowl.com

Continuing events:

-- Julius Caesar, to Mar 16, http://www.amrep.org/caesar/

-- The New England Spring Flower Show, to Mar 16, http://www.masshort.org

-- Boston Restaurant Week, to Mar 21, except Saturdays, http://www.restaurantweekboston.com

I am moving May 1st or June 1st and am looking for scene-friendly roommates who like to party and want to live in Porter Square, Cambridge. We will have many adventures. I have found an amazing catch of a place, rooms vary and will go between $500 and $800. Email me.

-Johnny

Greetings,

This is the week in weird! :)

The big event of the week is the St. Patrick's Day Parade! You're right that St. Patty's Day isn't until Monday, March 17. However, the first parades are March 8 on Cape Cod and March 9 in Worceter, MA and Lawrence, MA. Then a bunch more March 16 and 30. http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/boston/boston.htm

Is there anyone who doesn't like fossils? Besides creationists, I mean? Get out your protest signs and tell 'em God's just testing us at FossilFest. March 8, at the Harvard Natural History Museum in Cambridge, MA. 11am-5pm. It's special because not just volunteers but actual paleontologists will be there to chat with. http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu

There's an Adult Spelling Bee in Brookline. No, not an X-rated one, although I just heard about an event like this at BU I'll be telling you about later. It's March 9, 2-6pm and there's a kid's bee, also, 12-2pm. Because rote memorization is clearly an important talent. Brookline High School Auditorium. http://www.brooklineeducation.org/events/spellingbee.html

As I mentioned last week, the Boston Massacre Re-enactment is Mar 5-8 at the Old State House, Boston, MA. Friday 11 & 2, short play. Sat 11:30 & 2:30 Trial of the Century w/ John Adams. Mon 3/5 5:30-7:30 Meet Paul Revere, 8pm re-enactment. Then March 8 a printing demonstration, a kids (11am, 2pm) and an adults (7pm) re-enactment. Lots of death! Come! http://www.bostonhistory.org/?s=osh&p=calendar

TONIGHT! Also mentioned last week, MIT Chorallaries Bad Taste Concert, tonight, 11pm but arrive early! http://web.mit.edu/choral/www/badtaste

TOMORROW! There's an entire concert based on bird calls. Strange but who knows if it'll be any good? Tuesday March 4, 9pm at NEC in Boston. http://concerts.newenglandconservatory.edu/index.php?DateYear=2008&DateMonth=03&DateDay=04

Did you miss last week's flower show? Surprise! This one's bigger and closer, too. The New England Spring Flower Show is Mar 8-16, at the Bayside Expo Center, in Boston, MA. 617-933-4983. Rt 93 exit 15. All day. I actually went to this one a couple of years ago and it's quite interesting. Even if you're not a gardener (and they have tons of vendors) it's worth it to see all the floral exhibits and competitive dioramas, some of which are room-sized. http://www.masshort.org

There aren't any burlesque shows this week that I know of. But wait a second, how about sassy babes in fishnet stockings competing in a roller derby? See the Boston Derby Dames March 8 at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA. 5pm. With an afterparty. All I can say is, those Shriners really know how to rock. http://www.bostonderbydames.com/index.cfm?cdid=10583&pid=10200

You've heard of Jack Kerouac and his book On the Road, which helped define the Beat Generation (I guess generation W came before generation X...) If you want to give up the misery of the Great Depression and celebrate bohemian culture and road tripping, check out the Annual Kerouac Birthday Celebration, Mar 7-12. Lowell, MA. I have to confess that some readings and birthday cake doesn't sound all too exciting. http://lckorg.tripod.com/

There's a comedy night in Roxbury that looks unusual enough to drag me out there. Corey Manning from "Laffapalooza" will host. Love & Laughter is March 8 at the Roxbury Center for Arts. http://rcahh.org

Also comedic, is the MIT Annual Latke-Hamentashen Debate. See highly respected professors debate over which Jewish foods are the best. And you get to sample these desserts as well. March 5, 8pm, MIT 26-100. http://web.mit.edu/hillel/www/latke-hamentashen-debate.html

Want to learn some folk dancing? It's a lot more fun that it sounds. Give it a shot I won't tell your emo friends who are too good for a little peasant revelry. Also Jewish, visit the Israel Folk Dance Festival of Boston. There's an "Ice Cream" dance party on March 8 that's participatory, in Newton. And then a performance, March 9 in Cambridge, MA. They have participatory dances year round. http://www.bostonfestival.org

Also participatory is the Balkan Music Night Annual Concert and Party is March 8. 51 Walden Street, Concord MA. http://www.forsyths.addr.com/bmn/

Here are some more folk dancing opportunities:

-- Greek Dancing in Somerville. Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., Church, 29 Central Square, Somerville, MA. http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/calendar/8998977540831838207

-- Contra Dancing in Concord. Monday, Thursday 7:30-10:30. Contra Dancing, which is a line dance good for meeting new people. I've been to this one, it's my favorite. Anyone can just walk in and pick it up, don't be afraid! Concord Scott House, 74 Walden St. Concord, MA. 781-272-0396. http://www.neffa.org/invite.shtml

-- Swing Dancing in Arlington. Classes Tuesdays at 7pm then party at 9:15pm. http://www.danceboston.com/tuesdays.html

-- International Dancing, which is the dance equivalent of mystery meat for lunch, Church, 35 Church St, Watertown, MA. Thursdays and 4th Saturdays. http://www.facone.org

-- Lindy Hop in Arlington. Lindy Hop is a fad from the 1920s that just won't die. Church, 21 Marathon Street, Arlington, MA. First Thursday of the month. 9:30-11pm. http://jera.pair.com/~mjonas/mikes/stomp.html

-- Scottish Country Dance in Salem. Church, 211 Bridge St, Salem, MA. Thursdays, lessons 7:30, dance 8. http://calendar.boston.com/events/show/657002

-- Swing Dance in Newton at Swing City. I've actually been to this and it was so much fun! Lessons first, then party. Bishop MacKenzie, 1337 Centre Street, Newton, MA. 617-566-7111. Fridays. http://www.wannadance.com

-- Swing dancing in Newton at Swing 440, which is totally not the same thing as Swing 420. American Legion, 295 California St, Newton, MA. Sundays and other days. And hey, they have hip hop classes, too. http://www.hoptothebeat.com/dances.html#swing440danceclub

-- Salsa dancing at Havana Club in Cambridge. 114 Mt. Auburn St, Cambridge, MA. 617-312-5550. $12. Fridays 9:30-10:30. Lessons at 9:30pm, dance party starts at 10:30. I've been salsa dancing at Ryles and the instructor was awful, so ttry this one instead. http://www.havanaclubsalsa.com/salsa_fridays.shtml

-- "Barefoot" dancing in Cambridge. What the hell does that mean? It sounds very Cambridge which has could be either awesome or too trippy. Church @ Mason & Garden Streets, Cambridge, MA. 508-405-0908. $10. Every Wednesday 7:30-10:30. http://www.dancefreedom.com

-- And a bunch more at http://www.facone.org/programs/program/thursdaydance.htm and http://www.neffa.org/Top/index.shtml and in every Boston Phoenix (but those can be outdated).

Finally, if you're just too hip for folk dancing (or don't realize how fun it is, once you've gotten over yourself), learn some Breakdancing. I went once and hey, I'm a geek, but I felt so welcomed and I even learned some moves! It's hard but so much fun, try it. Open Practices are Tue & Thu 7-9:30, Lobby 13 or or Building 34. MIT, Cambridge. http://www.mit.edu/~imobilare

Sometimes I list business events that just look fun anyway. One I've always wondered about is the AAA Travel Marketplace. Sweet deals to places and hotels of unknown quality. Mar 7-9. Gillette Stadium. Foxborough, MA. For AAA members. https://www.aaa.com/aaa/240/sne/travel/travelmarketplace2008/index.html

Boston Restaurant Week is also a marketing gimmick. Mar 9-21, except Saturdays. Various fancy restaurants offer eating discounts. It's a promotion, not an event, but the winter is sparse, so we'll take what we can get. Various locations. http://www.restaurantweekboston.com

Gotharama comes to Boston, March 8. Middle East in Cambridge. It's a night of music and not really a festival. They really have the least interesting Web site possible. I guess they assume the trendy types who will come already know all about it anyway. A lot of good bands will be there. http://www.ri-gotharama.com

Continuing events:

-- Julius Caesar, to Mar 16, http://www.amrep.org/caesar/

-- The Salem Film Festival, to Mar 6, http://www.cinemasalem.com

Heads up, "Annie" is coming to the CitiWang Theatre, Mar 25-30. You know, the orphan who just can't stop singing. And They Might Be Giants is coming Mar 28 to http://www.somervilletheatreonline.com/somerville/schedule/events.php

Have fun. You know it's a good week when I surf boston.com and going.com and don't find a single quirky thing I'm not already listing.

I triple dare Ron to find a broken link this week. :)

-Johnny