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-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Free movie preview tix to Machete & The Tillman Story		Wed 9/1	Boston Metro
Did you ever see Grindhouse, the Quentin Tarantino film? It featured a trailer for a parody called Machete, which was so popular that they actually made the movie. I have free preview tickets. The only catch is, it's at 10am in the morning. Also I've got tickets for The Tillman Story, Wed at 7pm. AMC Boston Common Theatre, Boston, MA. more
Tomb opens new attraction -- free tickets!		Wed 9/1	Southeast Mass
The largest amusement park in Boston proper has just one "ride" -- it's "Tomb", an ancient Egyptian pyramid that you actually walk through. The Pharaoah traps you inside and you solve puzzles and explore to escape. Well, the team at 5 WITS has now opened "Espionage", a walk-through spy game in Foxborough. Meanwhile -- big surprise!! -- they are CLOSING the Boston location on September 7, which to me sounds crazy. I still have 17 tickets to Tomb, so email me to win some and go! Patriot Place, Foxboro, MA. more
King Richard's Faire preview event		Thu 9/2	Boston Metro
Bigger and better than Tomb, King Richard's Faire is the big Renaissance Faire in Massachusetts and to attract customers they are doing a free preview! They'll have baby tigers, jousters on horseback and performances by the royal court set up all along the river. 11am-1pm. Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Anuna Hill Days (Stargazing Weekend)		Fri 9/3 - Mon 9/6	Boston Metro
I've always wanted to see this one! It's a weekend festival for serious astronomy buffs, but everyone is invited. You can camp or just visit, with model rockets and nature walks in the day and serious stargazing at night. Arunah Hill, Cummington, MA. more
Back to School Silent Rave		Sat 9/4	Boston Metro
Or spend the night dancing to no music! Bring an iPod with music to dance to. Or just dance to the music in your head! 7-10pm. Copley Square, Boston, MA. more
Adult Spelling Bee (and I do mean X-rated)		Sat 9/4	Boston Metro
How weird is this? A spelling bee with naughty words. Basement of student center. 9pm. BU Central, 775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA. more
Marlborough's 350th Anniversary		Sat 9/4 - Mon 9/6	Metro West
Movie night 9/3 "Up", Ball 9/4, and scavenger hunt, opening of 50 year time capsule, and fireworks 9/5! Then a parade 9/6! Marlborough, MA. more
World War II Day at Battleship Cove		Sat 9/4 - Sun 9/5	Southeast Mass
Re-enactments in New England usually focus on the 1700s. Here's one focused on World War II, and it takes place at the largest naval museum in the world, right here in Fall River. Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA. more
Seakonke Wampanoag Tride Annual Pow-wow		Sat 9/4 - Sun 9/5	Southeast Mass
This small native american festival takes place in my hometown and I've been. It's at the corner of Rt 44 & Bay State Road, call 401-723-1563. They have a ring of vendors and ethnic music and dance, including participatory. It's a wonderful chance to learn. Redway Plains, Bay State Road at Winthrop Street, Rehoboth, MA.401-723-1563. more
Boston Tattoo Convention		Fri 9/3 - Mon 9/6	Boston Metro
If you're into tattoos, don't miss this opportunity to gawk and be gawked at. Just don't get a tattoo you won't still be proud of when you're 80! They'll have a burlesque show and tattoo contests. Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA. more
Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks		Sat 9/4	North Shore
While you're in the area, get a picnic lunch & watch the ships go by! The best view is on the left side of the harbor (as you face the water). Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester, MA. more
Gloucester Schooner Festival		Fri 9/3 - Mon 9/6	North Shore
No doubt this ship & waterfront festival are related to the boat parade! Gloucester, MA. more
Stacked Kite Mega-Fly		Mon 9/6	North Shore
The experts at these kite festivals are friendly! Go and learn how to fly a stunt kite with two strings. Nahant Beach, Lynn, MA. more
Bread and Roses Festival		Mon 9/6	North Shore
This music and dance festival is more like it! It celebrates a famous labor strike in American history. Lawrence, MA. more
End of Summer Bash & Fireworks		Sun 9/5	New Hampshire
If you are up in the White Mountains for hiking and touring, stop by for the fireworks. Waterville Valley, NH.603-236-8175. more
Battle Road Trail Walk		Sat 9/4	Metro West
This is a 3.5 hour walk along the "battle trail" that was basically one long car chase, sans cars, circa 1775. 12:30pm. Free. Minute Man Visitor Center - Rt 2A, Lexington, MA.978-318-7825. more
Newport Waterfront Irish Festival		Sat 9/4 - Mon 9/6	Rhode Island
I've been to this event, and with 5 music stages, it's worth a visit, but doesn't go much beyond the typical music and vendors that many fairs feature. However, it's the largest Irish event of the year in New England. Newport Yachting Center., Newport, RI. more
Also Fun
Stone Zoo Free Fun Friday and others		Fri 9/3	North Shore
It's a zoo. It's free. Again thanks to the Highland Street Foundation! 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA.781-438-5100. more
Free Fun Friday at the USS Constitution Museum		Sat 9/4	Boston Metro
And a bunch of other things are free, too! See the website. The Concord Museum, EcoTarium, Buttonwood Park Zoo, and more! Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA.617-426-1812. more
Festival of Saint Lucia		Fri 9/3 - Mon 9/6	Boston Metro
I believe this is a street festival, but no details are given! Cambridge, MA. more
Labor Day Fest - Newburyport		Sat 9/4 - Mon 9/6	Boston Metro
This is a small music festival by the waterfront in a very tiny New Englandy town. Sounds quiet, but nice. Newburyport, MA. more
Hopkinton State Fair		Thu 9/2 - Mon 9/6	New Hampshire
Yet another agricultural fair. I only list the big ones, but I'll list this too because Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival there. Hopkinton Fairgrounds, Contoocook, NH. more
Spencer Fair (Agriculture Fair)		Fri 9/3 - Mon 9/6	Worcester
It's the largest agricultural fair in central Massachusetts. Spencer, MA. more
The Shire: A Mountaintop Music & Arts Festival		Sat 9/4 - Sun 9/5	Western Mass
An "intimate" music festival, i.e. small.... Washington, MA.413-623-5535. more
Rhythm & Roots Festival		Fri 9/3 - Sun 9/5	Rhode Island
This festival seems to have a real soul, including 4 stages of music. Charlestown, RI. more
Kimball Farm Corn Maze		Sat 8/28 - Sun 11/7	Northern Mass
Another corn maze is on the North Shore. I've been to this one. It's smaller, but worth the trip and very creative with clues in the maze! Kimball Farm Corn Maze, 780 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA.978 521-3990. more
The Real Inspector Hound - Theatre		Thu 9/2 - Sun 9/5	Boston Metro
Tom Stoppard is the famous playwright who wrote the script to Shakespeare In Love, the movie. This hilarious play is a parody on murder mysteries. I've seen it and it's highly recommended! Plus I have an extra ticket for the September 5th performance. Email me! Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA.617-933-8600. more
King Richard's Faire (Ren Faire)		Sat 9/4 - Sun 10/24	South Shore
New England's largest renaissance faire. Weekends & holidays only. Plenty of Ren Faire vendors and people-watching, with 8 performance stages. Only 1/3 of the acts are worth watching, but definitely see the Aerial Angels, Paolo Garbanzo, and especially the jousting! Rt 3 S to Rt 44 W to Rt 58 S. Carver, MA.508-866-5391. more
Travel
Woodstock Fair		Fri 9/3 - Mon 9/6	Connecticut
Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival there. Woodstock Fairgrounds, Woodstock, CT. more
A-Maze-ing Story Slam		Sat 9/4	Connecticut
A story slam is a storytelling event where people essentially do one-person theatre shows telling a story. This one takes place on a public farm with a corn field maze! 260 Quaddick Road, Thompson, CT.860-923-3439. more
Bonfire at Nudist Resort		Sun 9/5	Connecticut
What can make a nudist camp better? A bonfire! Woodstock, CT. more
Blue Hill Fair		Thu 9/2 - Mon 9/6	Maine
This agricultural faire features ox & horse pulls, racing pigs, lumberjack show, fireworks, and sheep dog trials -- that's when they take naughty sheep and put them on trial. Blue Hill, ME. more
County Bluegrass		Thu 9/2 - Sun 9/5	Maine
Here's a festival you come camp over for. Fort Fairfield, ME. more
Champlain Valley Fair		Sat 8/28 - Mon 9/6	Vermont
The Champlain Valley Fair includes a demolition derby, a tractor pull, and a ton of famous names. Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT.802-878-5545. more
Plymouth Folk and Blues Concerts		Thu 9/2 - Sun 9/5	Vermont
Yet another music festival. Plymouth, VT USA. more
Vermont State Fair		Fri 9/3 - Sun 9/12	Vermont
This festival has a carnival, live music, and lots of agricultural goodness. 175 South Main St, Rutland, VT. more
New World Festival		Sun 9/5	Vermont
Yet another music festival. Randolph, VT. more

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This is it! There are some dribs and drabs in September, but this is the last full-blooded week of outdoor theatre, movies, and music, most of which is free. See the huge list -- I track over 300 outdoor summer series, the biggest in New England by more than double -- at the very bottom of this post.

Love this blog? Subscribe to email, , or and please tell your friends!

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Boston Carnival (Caribbean Festival)		Sat 8/28	Boston Metro
It's carnival time! There's a parade down MLK Boulevard, Roxbury, MA at 12pm, and a huge block party (j'ouvert), Blue Hill Ave and Morton Street, Mattapan, MA at 5pm. (Not 5am, right, like it's listed?). Franklin Park, Boston, MA.617-635-3911. more
Love Hangover booth in Copley Square		Sat 8/28	Boston Metro
This looks fun! Two hosts of a radio show on dating, sex, and relationships are giving free advice to anyone who wants it through a sidewalk booth. My advice would be: if you can't consistently keep from fighting, it's not true love. 1-4pm. Copley Square, in front of Trinity Episcopal Church, Boston, MA. more
Pawtucket Arts Fest & Dragonboat Races		Sun 8/15 - Sat 9/4	Rhode Island
I've told you before about the "Pawtucket Arts Festival", which is not really a festival, but a jumble of various mini-events, but finally the dragonboat races are coming 8/28. School Street Pier, School St., Pawtucket, RI.401-724-2200. more
Fandago		Sat 8/28	Boston Metro
Mexican song and dance come to Somerville! Bring an instrument and join in the "fandango". 4-8p.m. Rain date: next day. They'll have dance lessons and performances, food, art, and a film. Union Square, Somerville, MA. more
Plymouth Waterfront Festival		Sat 8/28	South Shore
I've also been to this one. At first I was ready to assume it would be small & uninteresting. But it's actually rather large with a great diversity of activities including a carnival, live music, and the Mayflower ship replica. A great excuse to visit Plimoth Plantation and stop by. 10:30am to 7pm. Plymouth, MA. more
Model Rocket Launch at Acton		Sat 8/28	Metro West
Gee, I haven't flown a model rocket since I was a kid! I'd love to see this hobby group. Check their other dates if this one doesn't work for you. 10am-4pm. Field at School Street, Acton, MA. more
Air Show at Pease Air Force Base		Sat 8/28 - Sun 8/29	New Hampshire
Of course, they're completely outclassed by this air show with air stunts up above and lots of parked aircraft to see up close on the ground. Portsmouth, NH. more
New England Boogie - Skydiving Festival		Wed 8/25 - Sun 8/29	Northern Mass
Not enough action for you? This is the largest skydiving event in New England. Up to 300 attend. I would go for viewing -- it will be too busy for jumping, and I've heard that other skyjump centers are better. 165 Nashua Road, Pepperell, MA.978 433-9222. more
Encampment of Revolutionary War Soldiers at Fort Taber		Sat 8/28 - Sun 8/29	Southeast Mass
This week's awesome historical re-enactment is an entire colonial weekend with a military camp in New Bedford. Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-3pm. Battle demonstrations, live music, and colonial dance Saturday evening. And it's free! Fort Taber Park at Clark's Point, New Bedford, MA.508-994-3938. more
Free Folk Dancing with Folk Arts Center of New England		Fri 8/27	Boston Metro
There's a farmers Market near the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square from 12pm followed by participatory folk dancing from 7:30-9:30 pm (rain date 8/29). Holyoke Center, 1350 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA.781-438-4389. more
Feast of St. Anthony		Fri 8/27 - Sun 8/29	Boston Metro
I've never been to an Italian Festival, on the assumption it would be too religious. But I'm told they're really not. They have parades (led by religious icons), sing-a-longs, religious mass, live music, and two "Iron Chef" competitions. Endicott St, Boston, MA.617-523-7024. more
Marshfield Fair		Fri 8/20 - Sun 8/29	South Shore
But this one's closer. As well as the usual fair contests, they'll have a demolition derby, 2 music tents, a carnival, and a "battle of the bands". My idea: put the bands in the demolition derby cars. Now THAT's a battle! Route 3A at South River St., Marshfield, MA.781-834-6629. more
North Country Moose Festival		Fri 8/27 - Sun 8/29	New Hampshire
Looking for an excuse to head up to the hills of New Hampshire? This festival has a car show, helicopter rides, the usual street crafts vendors & food & live music, and moose tours!! I went on one once and we saw meeses!!! How exciting! Main Street, Colebrook, NH. more
Map and Compass		Sat 8/28	Boston Metro
In this event, you learn to use a map to wander the wilderness. Good if you don't have good GPS coverage. Call for location, Boston, MA.617-698-1802 x310. more
Davis Farmland's Megamaze		Sat 8/28 - Sun 8/29	Worcester
You really need to visit Davis Megamaze, even though you can't go into the petting zoo and spray park unless you have kids in tow. 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Kimball Farm Corn Maze		Sat 8/28 - Sun 11/7	Northern Mass
Another corn maze is on the North Shore. I've been to this one. It's smaller, but worth the trip and very creative with clues in the maze! Kimball Farm Corn Maze, 780 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA.978 521-3990. more
Also Fun
Free Fun Fridays: Museum of Science, Boston		Fri 8/27	Boston Metro
The Museum of Science is free for a day, thanks to the people at Highland Street. Museum of Science, Boston, MA. more
Essex Music Festival		Sat 8/28	North Shore
This one caught my eye. Visitors are encouraged to bring along an instrument and play, but not if you're really really bad. And they'll have participatory dancing. 12-10:30pm. Centennial Grove, Route 22, Essex, MA. more
Model-A Car Show and Family Barbeque		Sat 8/28	Metro West
This car show is 12-3pm, with live music and barbecue. Yum! Wayside Inn, 72 Wayside Inn Rd, Sudbury, MA.978-443-1776. more
Antique and Classic Boat Festival		Sat 8/28 - Sun 8/29	North Shore
Or upgrade to classic sailboats, powerboats, and hand-powered craft. Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White St, Salem, MA. more
"Shipwreck Dinner" at Winslow House		Sat 8/28	South Shore
What makes a lecture on history more interesting? Food! Learn about Old Ironsides all professor-like and chomp down some fancy vittles. Marshfield, MA. more
Tavern Talk		Sat 8/28	Metro West
This one looks more interesting, it's a re-enactment of colonials talking about current events circa 1774 in a local tavern. And it's free! 1:30pm and 2:45pm. Hartwell Tavern, Rt. 2A, Lincoln, MA. more
Stories in the Stars		Fri 8/27	Rhode Island
This one's my pick though! It's an outdoor lecture about astronomy where you can see the constellations! 7:30-8:30pm. Register at (401) 949-5454, ext. 3041. Audubon Center, 1401 Hope St, Bristol, RI. more
ZooMoon at Capron Park Zoo		Wed 8/25	Southern Mass
Here's another outdoor evening event... at a zoo. Awesome! 6-9pm, and it's only $6. 201 County St, Attleboro, MA.508-222-3047. more
Annual Tomato Festival		Sat 8/28	Springfield
This one-food festival is rain or shine and comes with a road race, live music, and homey workshops. 7 Carver St, Granby, MA.413-467-7645. more
Annual Peach Festival & Hoedown		Sun 8/29	Springfield
But this one comes with a bbq festival, with live music, hayrides, games, and baking and costume contests! 1-5pm. Smolak Farms, 315 S. Bradford St, Wilbraham, MA.413-599-0010. more
Littleton Palooza		Sat 8/28	Metro West
Here's another festival with no details given! 3-7pm. Littleton, MA. more
Nashua PAL Carnival		Thu 8/26 - Fri 8/27	New Hampshire
This one's not described either, but is apparently some kind of "carnival" fundraiser for "PAL". That could mean anything from a single moonbounce up to a full carnival faire. 5-10pm. Holman Stadium Parking Lot, Nashua, NH. more
Great Waters Folk Festival		Sat 8/28	New Hampshire
Yet another music festival, with participatory jams and a barn dance. Wolfeboro, NH. more
Newport Arts Festival		Sat 8/28 - Sun 8/29	Rhode Island
This festival is nothing special -- art vendors and live music -- but you've got to visit Newport's cliffwalk and mansions before the warm weather's gone! Newport Yachting Center, Newport, RI. more
South Boston Italian Pride Night		Wed 8/25	Boston Metro
So... is this pride to be Italian, or is this Italian Gay pride? Their calendar just says "activites for all to enjoy". Put on your leather chaps and go find out! 6pm. Medal of Honor Park, 775 E 1st St, South Boston, MA.617-635-3911. more
Pirate Party at Wenham Museum		Thu 8/26	North Shore
The good news: it's a pirate party! The bad news: it's during work hours. 1-3pm. Rain or Shine. Pre-registration required. Learn fencing, and take part in a model ship battle on the water. Wenham Museum, 132 Main Street, Wenham, MA.978-468-2377. more
Summer Shack's Hot Dog Eating Contest		Sat 8/28	Boston Metro
Let me be 'frank' -- don't eat 30 hot dogs. Don't even eat one. But do visit the Boston Harbor Islands! Spectacle Island, Boston, MA. more
Boston Restaurant Week - Summer		Sun 8/15 - Fri 8/27	Boston Metro
Get cheap eats at the fanciest restaurants. A marketing ploy, a tourist event, what's the difference? Pay $33 and say, What, this is your DISCOUNTED dinner? Where da IHOP at, yo? Various, Boston, MA. more
Swim with luminous jellyfish off the Cape		Sun 8/15 - Mon 8/30	Cape Cod
Speaking of illumination, I heard once that you could go swimming amongst harmless bioluminescent jellyfish. So I went to Cape Cod to investigate! Near the end of August, sneak into McGansett Beach, in Falmouth. Or any public beach really. Or boat to Tarpaulin Cove. Choose a calm night, because if there's a lot of waves there may be too much turbulence to see the jellyfish. They are non-stinging, and small, about the size of a goose egg. The creatures glow when there's motion in the water, so if you disturb the water, such as jumping off the McGansett Beach dock, you see glowing. You might want to stop into the National Marine Life Center, www.nmic.org, for additional assistance. Let me know if you find them! Falmouth, MA. more
Performance
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)		Tue 8/24	Boston Metro
Did you know there are more than 40 outdoor summer theatre series in New England, most of which are free? I saw this one last year and it's literary and funny, definitely worth your time! 6-8pm. Free. Boston's Christopher Columbus Park, Boston, MA. more
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night		Sun 8/29	Lowell
And this one's part of Lowell's summer music series, but it's theatre. See the big list of outdoor stuff below the blog! Lowell, MA. more
King of the Hill at ImprovBoston		Fri 8/27	Boston Metro
I've seen this show and it was great fun to see two improv teams compete, building comedy out of wacky words shouted out by the audience. Goats! Goatees! Goat tease! 40 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA.617-576-1253. more
Cirque du Soleil		Wed 7/21 - Sun 8/29	Boston Metro
I've also been to see Cirque du Soleil, and found this production much more accessible than the last one. The performers all pretend to be insects and you'll find juggling, acrobatics, and clowns. About a third of the acts are mindblowing, which is more than enough to make the show! Big Top at Fan Pier, Boston, MA. more
Harpsichord Performance		Sat 8/28	Boston Metro
1-4pm. Live music and commentary on the historical context of this colonial era instrument. Come and go as you please. Old State House, Boston, MA. more
Travel
Schemitzun - Native American Festival		Sat 8/28 - Sun 8/29	Connecticut
This festival has native american arts & crafts, dancing, bull-riding, and singing. It's just 2 hours away, as close as you can get to Boston and be in Connecticut. I'd love to see some native american dance that isn't just slowly walking in a circle. Wintechog Hill Road, North Stonington, CT. more
National Fife & Drum Muster		Sat 8/28	Connecticut
Guys, you've got to give me a little more detail or I can't write up what is probably a fine event. Focus, people! Focus! Well, this is a "national" muster, so it's probably big. Westbrook, CT. more
Acton Fair		Thu 8/26 - Sun 8/29	Maine
If you're ever going to visit Maine, the warmest time of the year is when to go! Here are three excuses. Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival in Maine and they'll have pig racing, horse & ox pulling, a parade, and all kinds of agricultural goodness. Acton Fairgrounds, Rt 109, Acton, ME. more
Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Music Festival		Thu 8/26 - Sun 8/29	Maine
The idea of the "Travel" section of my blog is to encourage you to spend a whole weekend outside Boston. These events may not be vastly interesting, but combined with the tourist sights you'll see, worth a visit. This one's pretty laid back. Sidney, ME. more
American Folk Festival		Fri 8/27 - Sun 8/29	Maine
... And this is the active one! Bangor, ME. more
Queechee Scottish Festival		Sat 8/28	Vermont
I've got very little interest in Vermont, but a Scottish Festival might draw me there! Quechee Polo Field, Quechee, VT. more
Champlain Valley Fair		Sat 8/28 - Mon 9/6	Vermont
The Champlain Valley Fair includes a demolition derby, a tractor pull, and a ton of famous names. Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT.802-878-5545. more
U.S.A. National Atlatl Championships		Thu 8/26 - Sun 8/29	New York
I don't write about New York, but I couldn't resist this one! Atlatl is an ancient hunting weapon and this group has turned it into a sport! See the "Wounded Mammoth Hunt" for example! Castile, NY. more
Maryland Renaissance Festival at Silver Springs		Sat 8/28 - Sun 10/24	Maryland
I'm told it's the best Renaissance Faire on the east coast and worth a trip. Crownsville Road, Crownsville, MD. more
Burning Man		Mon 8/30 - Mon 9/6	Nevada
I'm told this is the best arts festival in the country -- or at least the zaniest. Black Rock City, NV. more

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