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This week I've included a few recurring events to make up for the lack of special one-shot events in January. Also, I have a new website, at http://johnnyslist.org. If you're reading this by RSS or email then apparently it's working for you and you don't need to resubscribe or anything.
-Johnny
The Week in Weird | |||
| Boston Celtic Music Festival | Jan 9 - Jan 10 | Boston Metro | |
| Here's the weird event of the week is the Boston Celtic Music Festival, which takes place at several venues in Cambridge. There will be participatory dance as well as performance of dance and music. And they're having some kind of "Olympics", which is sort of sad because it's clearly meant to be a draw, but goes completely undescribed on their website. The festival looks great, though. Club Passim, 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA. more | |||
| Boston No Pants Ride | Jan 10 | Boston Metro | |
| Every year the pranksters in Boston (and New York) ride the subway with only their underwear. Now that's classy. 1:30-3:30pm. On the subway, Boston, MA. more | |||
| Chocolate Tour of Boston | Jan 11 - Jan 25 | Boston Metro | |
| But this event is more suitable for most of us: a tour of Boston's chocolate makers. 2009: Meet at MIT Lobby 7, 2-5pm. Meet at 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more | |||
| Introduction to Commedia dell'Arte | Jan 6 - Jan 20 | Boston Metro | |
| This event is also part of MIT's January break of creative workshops. You can learn a kind of improv comedy dating back to the Renaissance. There are a number of dance classes and more, too. MIT, Cambridge, MA. more | |||
| Wenham Museum's Model Railroad and Hobby Show | Jan 10 | North Shore | |
| Also weird, but more family-oriented, is a train show. It doesn't actually happen in the museum (which has a model train collection and is doing a Lego Trains exhibit Jan 17), but down the street at a local school, with 75 dealer tables. Snow date the next day. Buker School, School Street, Wenham, MA. more | |||
| Gadgets & Gizmos @ Phillips House | Jan 11 | North Shore | |
| While you're on the north shore, check out this historic look at old timey kitchen appliances at the Phillips House. It's a good excuse to spend a day in Salem. 2009: Also Feb 8, Mar 8, 10:30am-12pm. 34 Chestnut Street, Salem, MA.978-744-0440. more | |||
| Winter Trails Day | Jan 10 | Metro West | |
| Winter Trails Day actually takes place across a number of dates, but the main event is free snoeshowing and free cross-country skiing at the Weston Ski Track. If there's snow. Weston Ski Track @ the Martin Golf Course, Weston, MA. more | |||
Also Fun | |||
| Forest Hills Cemetery Concert | Jan 11 | Boston Metro | |
| Because special events are thin in January, here are a few regularly occurring events to check out. You can make your own trail day by walking Forest Hills Cemetery. Cemeteries are always kept cleared of snow in the wintertime. Go anytime, or attend the madrigals concert they have planned January 11. 95 Forest Hills Ave, Boston, MA.617-524-0128. more | |||
| Arnold Arboretum | Jan 11 | Boston Metro | |
| The Arnold Arboretum is also open and cleared during the winter. They're having a guided walk Jan 11 and a poetry reading Jan 20. 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA.617-524-1718. more | |||
| Boston Poetry Slam | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Boston Metro | |
| Speaking of poetry, the Boston Poetry Slam is every Wednesday night, 8pm-midnight. It's more like a series of one person plays, because the "readers" really perform more like actors. I've seen a little and recommend it. Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617 354-2685. more | |||
| CoCo Key Water Resort at the Sheraton Ferncroft | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | North Shore | |
| Yearning for summertime? You can rent it! There's an indoor, year-round water park on the North Shore in Danvers, MA. The Sheraton Ferncroft, 50 Ferncroft Rd., Danvers, MA.(978) 777-2500. more | |||
| Urban Oasis (Cambridge) | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Boston Metro | |
| You can also get a little summer at Inman Oasis. This is the only hot tub rental place in Boston (unless you want to pay for a hotel room with a hot tub, or visit my place), the former Urban Oasis. There's a "community tub" which you don't need to reserve in advance for, but need to bring a swimsuit. And they have a number of private room tubs as well. 243 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA.617-491-0176. more | |||
| LazerZone (Marlborough) | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Metro West | |
| Or try this indoor arcade. Adults and kids are both welcome, and I tried it out last year. It's highly recommended! 416 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA.508 303-9900. more | |||
| LazerZone (Randolph) | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Metro West | |
| The other LazerZone is in Randolph. Rt. 28. 330 North Main St, Randolph, MA.781 961-3300. more | |||
| Boston Bowl | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Boston Metro | |
| Now that the Good Time Emporium is gone, check out Boston Bowl. They have 44 bowling lanes, pool, arcade, batting cages. The best part is they're one of a very few places in Boston that's open 24 hours. And they have "cosmic bowling", Fri & Sat after 7:30pm, which is some kind of glow-in-the-dark experience. 820 Morrisey Blvd, Boston, MA.617-825-3800. more | |||
| Sacco's Bowl-Haven | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Boston Metro | |
| Sacco's is smaller, but closer. They have bowling and 8 pool tables. And they have a similar "Moonlight bowling" event on Fridays, with a disco ball and dim lighting. You should always call ahead when bowling because leagues sometimes reserve an entire place. 45 Day Street, Somerville, MA.617 776-0552. more | |||
| Midnight Seduction | Jan 10 | Boston Metro | |
| Are you interested in sexuality? Go beyond the books and dry lectures and you may see a little at this free party. Mystery location, Cambridge, MA. more | |||
| Bostons Rock Fetish Nite | Jan 9 | Boston Metro | |
| Or visit this nightclub event which is more public but involves dancing and music. Castillo's Night Club, 355 Ferry Street, Everett, MA. more | |||
Recurring Events | |||
| Free Admission to the Old State House Museum | Jan 1 - Jan 31 | Boston Metro | |
| The entire month of January is free for Massachusetts residents (bring an ID) at the Old State House Museum. 206 Washington St , Boston, MA, Boston, MA. more | |||
| MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period) | Jan 5 - Feb 1 | Boston Metro | |
| Over winter break, MIT holds a variety of classes, lectures, and special events many of which are open to the public. Snowball fight, learn Tai Chi, participate in making the world's largest matzah ball, or naming the largest number ever named. Or attend "charm school", and learn your manners. MIT, Cambridge, MA.617-253-1000. more | |||
| Sleigh rides & smores at Point of View Farm | Jan 2 - Feb 28 | New Hampshire | |
| Weekends through February, you can get a real sleigh ride in New Hampshire. 160 South Road, Deerfield, NH.603-463-7974. more | |||
| Kimball Farm Horse-Draw Sleigh Rides | Jan 2 - Feb 28 | Northern Mass | |
| Or closer to Boston in Haverhill, MA, if there's snow. Kimball Farm Corn Maze, 780 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA.978 521-3990. more | |||
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