Johnny's List of Weird Boston Events - Overview

Dr. Horrible, Veterans Day Parades, Kite Fly, Historic Costumes, Open Studios, Nordic Fest, & Museum Ideas

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:35:11 -0500

Welcome to the Week in Weird! This is my attempt to create a nice-looking summary that's not too big to email. So below are this week's top items, and click to see the complete week of Johnny's List of Weird Boston Events.

I have a bunch of free tickets for Davis MegaMaze, the giant corn field maze out near Worcester. It's the best in New England, and a bunch of us are going Sunday, leaving Boston at 11am, or meet us there at 12pm. RSVP to reserve your free ticket to johnny@weirdbostonevents.org and include your phone number so's we can find you. --Johnny

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog	11/7	Southern Mass
Last week I mentioned that there's more to Rocky Horror than Rocky Horror. Here's another: a sing-a-long put on by a local Rocky cast that combines a film with interactive singing and theatre. 10pm. Orpheum Theater, Foxboro, MA. more
Historic Costume Social @ Asa Waters Mansion	11/6	Worcester
And to hold onto the Halloween seasons, dress as a person from history, and visit the Asa Waters Mansion, which I've been to. It's genuinely interesting and worth the trip. They'll have live music. Call ahead for tickets. 123 Elm Street, Post Office Box 421, Millbury, MA.508-865-0855. more
Breakfast with George Washington	11/7	New Hampshire
History comes also with this visit by George Washington, at 10am and 11am. Also they serve breakfast. Folsom Tavern, One Governors Lane, Exeter, NH.603-772-2622. more
Hampton Beach Holiday Kite Fly	11/7	New Hampshire
While you're in New Hampshire, stop by this small-sized kite flying event. It's harder to fly a kite than you might think, and you can meet and learn from some experts. They'll probably sell kites on-site. In front of the Ashworth hotel. Hampton Beach, Hampton, NH. more

And a lot more at the Complete Johnny's List of Weird Boston Events, including:

A Quilters' Gathering, Murder at the Science Museum Scavenger Hunt, Boston Veterans Day Parade, Quincy Veterans Day Parade, Roslindale Open Studios, Waltham Mills Artists' Open Studios, MFA Community Day (November), Comics Come Home Fundraiser, Nordic Fest, Armenian Fest, Franklin County CiderDay, Lizard Lounge benefit, New England Jazz Banjofest, Family Sleepover @ New England Aquarium, INDIECON: The Free All-Ages Big Heavy World Music Conference, There, I've Broken My Neck! (An Evening of Theatrical Disasters), Fall Foliage Hiking Around New England, Concord Festival of Authors, Out on the Edge Festival, Boston Jewish Film Festival, Holiday Murder Mystery at the Astors' Beechwood Mansion, 1627 Harvest Dinner @ Plimoth Plantation, Christmas Festival & Gingerbread House Competition, and ideas on museums to check out!

Want this weekly? subscribe and see Wheel Questions, too. Send encouragement & ideas to johnny@weirdbostonevents.org.

Halloween Fest, 1938 Radio Theatre, Day of the Dead, Iron Pour, Contra Dance & the new Rocky Horror

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:55:10 -0500

Here's a summary of this week's events! See the whole thing at The Complete Johnny's List of Weird Boston Events.

Day of the Dead Festival @ Forest Hills Cemetery
El Dia de Los Muertos
Day of the Dead @ Peabody Museum
A Night at the Wenham
Ghosts on the Banke
Tomes of Terror - Halloween Live Audio Trilogy
The Big Broadcast of 1938: The War of the Worlds
Iron Pour - Molten Metal Showers, Fire-spinning
Iron Pour @ Providence, RI
Wiccan Samhain Magick Circle Ceremony
Closing night celebration & Halloween Fireworks
The Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe & Graveside Walk
Tales of the Night @ Drumlin Farm
Halloween at the Somerville Armory
Haunted Higgins
Mischief at the Old Manse & Haunted Attic Tour
Nosferatu with Devil Music Ensemble
MIT Pumpkin Drop
Spooky Skate @ MIT
Harvard Scare!
Rocky Horror Halloween Special - Boston
Rocky Horror Halloween Special - RI
Repo the Genetic Opera (the new Rocky Horror?)
AntiMorris at Sunset
Halloween Contra Dance & Costume Party
Silent Rave
Plenty of Bars Have Banal Halloween Events
Annual Mayness & Madness Halloween Bash
Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball
Haunted Monster Masquerade Bash
Halloween Parade & Contest @ Nantucket Island
USS Constitution Halloween Haunt
Jack O' Lantern Spectacular
Halloween Night Hike
Halloween Bike Ride
Beacon Hill With a BOO!
Society for Creative Anachronism Crown Tournament
Revealing the Truth - how many Stasi Secrets does Germany need to know?
NESBA Marching Band Competition
International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition
Cross Quarter Day
Howl-o-ween Pet Parade / Mike-FM Howl-oween
Live Animal Haunted House at Animal Adventures
Davis Farmland Costume Weekend and Parade
Brattle Trick or Treat
Central Scare in Lynn
Pumpkin Carving
Halloween event
Haunted Forest @ Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Falmouth Halloween Parade
Full Moon Tour @ Gore Place
Boston Vegetarian Festival
Boston Palestine Film Festival
Williamstown Film Festival
Halloween Parade - Charlestown Mothers Association
Superhero 5K Road Race
Daylight Savings Time Ends
The Donkey Show
Fall Foliage Hiking Around New England
Canstruction
Out on the Edge Festival
National Novel Writing Month
Concord Festival of Authors
Salem Halloween Happenings
Salem Pumpkin Festival on the Commons
Gorefest at Improv Boston

Massive Halloween Carnival, Dance "Thriller", Open Studios, Lantern Parade

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:17:07 -0500

Top of the list (and for the last time) it's my own festival, the Boston Monster March, which has been pushed to Sunday Oct 25 because of rain. It's a giant carnival, costume charity walk, and live concert, with $19,000 in prizes and volunteer giveaways, to benefit the Samaritans for suicide prevention. We'll have 2 mechanical bulls, 2 giant slides, 3 huge inflatable obstacle courses, free facepainting, a free digital photo for everyone, "human bowling", a bungee run, a velcro wall. You can learn to dance Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and our concert features Lifted, Ketman, Jaggery, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys, and Casey Desmond.

The formatting on this new blog needs work. I *will* get to it next week!

Here's an overview of what's happening. See the whole list here! --Johnny

Boston Monster March & Massive Halloweel Carnival (Boston Metro)

Zombie March to the Monster March (Boston Metro)

Woburn Annual Halloween Parade (North Shore)

Horror Thon (Boston Metro)

The Halloween Ball @ Belcourt Castle (RI) (Newport Area)

Hawthorne Hotel's Reality Bites Costume Ball (North Shore)

Haunted Salem Scavenger Hunt (North Shore)

Nosferatu with Devil Music Ensemble (North Shore)

Salem State Zombie Monster Mash (North Shore)

Things That Go Bump in the Night & Trail of Terror @ Sturbridge Village (Southern Mass)

Things That Go Bump in the Night at Gore Place (Metro West)

Halloween Night Hike and Hayride (Worcester)

Great Pumpkin Nights @ Worcester Ecotarium (Worcester)

HAUNT for a cure & Haunted Cabins @ The Paul Center (Northern Mass)

Framingham Haunted Trolley Tour (Metro West)

Annual Great Pumpkin Float (Boston Metro)

Dorchester Open Studios (Boston Metro)

Acton Open Studios (Metro West)

Digging in the Past: Massachusetts Archaeology Month (Metro West)

Concord Festival of Authors: The Day We Found the Universe, (Metro West)

Annual Southern New England Weather Conference (Boston Metro)

Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade (Boston Metro)

Tokyo Kid Cosplay Contest (Boston Metro)

Boston Comic Con (Boston Metro)

Spirits of Falmouth's Past Return (Cape Cod)

RI International Horror Film Festival & H.P. Lovecraft Tour (Rhode Island)

Fright Night @ Joppa Flats (Northern Mass)

Haunted Old New England (& Dog Show) (Western Mass)

Halloween Happenings @ Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary (North Shore)

Halloween Prowl @ Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary (Southern Mass)

Essex Clamfest (North Shore)

Franklin Park Zoo's Zoo Howl for kids (Boston Metro)

Open Band folk dancing (Boston Metro)

Abolitionism in Black & White (Boston Metro)

International Climate Change Awareness Day (Boston Metro)

Hadley History Fair Weekend & 350th Anniversary (Western Mass)

Boston Book Festival (Boston Metro)

Annual Pumpkin Float (Boston Metro)

Pumpkins in the Park (Metro West)

Brookline Annual Book Sale (Boston Metro)

King Richard's Faire (Ren Faire) (South Shore)

Wachusett Mountain Applefest (Worcester)

Studebaker Day @ Larz Anderson Museum (Boston Metro)

My Giant Carnival & Costume Charity Walk, plus... other stuff! Like rowing!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:00:35 -0500

Hi everyone. Google's Feedburner has been sending out the Johnny's List emails up to a week late. So I'm trying to fix the problem this week and let's see if it works.

From now on the main blog, which you're already subscribed to ( or should be ) will be a top-level overview with a small size suitable for emailing. And it will link into a details blog.

Also, I'm going to click the "force Feedburner to post this NOW" button and see if that results in something instant.

So here's an overview of what's happening this week!

Well... a lot of stuff will be happening. See all the details at THIS NEW WEB PAGE WITH ALL THE DETAILS YOU'RE USED TO and I'll clean up the formatting next week.

However, the big event of the week is that I'm running my own festival, and it will be the largest in New England in October (I would know).

It's a costume charity walk. It's a carnival. It's a concert. It's the largest Boston festival in October. See and be seen at the 2009 Boston Monster March, Saturday, Oct 24, at Boston City Hall Plaza, 12-10pm. The event benefits suicide prevention.

We'll have vendors, food, costume competitions, and prizes. The event starts with a kids parade, and switches at sunset to an adult charity walk and live concert by Lifted, Jaggery, Casey Desmond, and Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys. Over 10,000 will come and break the world record dancing Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Join a fundraising team and get a free professional photo, and free access to 2 mechanical bulls, facepainting, temp tattoos, a giant slide, "human bowling alley", 3 inflatable obstacle courses, a velcro wall, and much more. Or just show up and give to the Samaritans (FREE to walkers, or $20 child/$20 student, $30 adult donation).

Please help. Show off your costume by sending friends to your fundraising team page. We especially need volunteers, click "Volunteer".

Sponsored by WeirdBostonEvents.org and Radio 92.9. See www.MonsterMarch.org and Facebook.

Halloween theatre, Roman & WWII Air re-enactments, Edgar Allan Poe, Guy Fawkes Bonfire

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:50:10 -0500

Here's your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Oktoberfest and Honk! Parade to Harvard Square	10/9 - 10/11	Boston Metro
The event of this week is a creative procession of an all-brass band. The event starts with a procession from Davis Square at 12pm down to Harvard Square, where they'll have a carnival with a hot air balloon on Cambridge Common, six stages of music, over 200 artist vendors and 50 food vendors, and it's free! 12-6pm. Rain date: next day. Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.617-491-3434. more
Boston Monster March	10/24	Boston Metro
I'm very excited! I've added a carnival to this event, which I'm running and will be the biggest festival in Boston in October. We'll have 2 mechanical bulls, 3 huge inflatable obstacle courses, a triple bungee run, a giant slide, a velcro wall, an event called "human bowling", a professional photo for you, and it's all free to those who register and walk for the Samaritans. (Or just show up and pay a donation.) Please start a fundraising team! Please click "Volunteer" and forward the email to friends. Take a look at the new website, which now has a "Press" section and some flash movies. City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA. more more
Are You Afraid of the Improv?	10/7 - 10/14	Boston Metro
ImprovBoston does it again. How do they come up with so many creative shows? This one's an improv comedy that's also spooky because it's all done in complete darkness. I really want to see it!! Wed 10/7 & 10/14 only. ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA. more
The Drachen Recruitment Experiment	10/11	Boston Metro
Also at ImprovBoston is a very very scary movie. Frankly, I'm scared just reading the title. ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA. more
A Celebration of Edgar Allan Poe	10/10	Boston Metro
Films can be more than just a film though. I was just at the Feast of Flesh, a film event, and they have so much fun with the live zombie costume contest and burlesque performances. Well, J. Cannibal is doing it again at the Brattle Theatre just before an Edgar Allan Poe film. A must see! Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Xmortis	10/9	Boston Metro
Black Cat Burlesque is also performing at Xmortis, the goth dance club you don't have to be 21 to enter. TT The Bear's, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA. more
Films Of Mystery & Madness: Edgar Allan Poe On Screen	10/2 - 10/13	Boston Metro
And other Edgar Allan Poe films continue. Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Boston's Resident Snake Charmer Proudly Presents: The Odditorium	10/9	Boston Metro
The Odditorium is a fascinating series of vaudeville and circus acts that aim to please not your inner child but your inner Edgar Allan Poe. Spooky, odd, and possibly even menacing, it's a perfect Halloween outing. You have to see it. YMCA Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
All Night Rocky Horror Rave	10/10	Metro West
What's crazier than Rocky Horror with a theatre group re-enacting the film? Doing it in a laser tag center! And making it a small festival! Lazer Zone, 416 Boston Post Rd. East, Marlborough, MA. more
Fall Festival @ The Old Manse	10/10	North Shore
OK. Phew. A little too much weird. Let's tone it down a notch. The Old Manse is one of New England's finer historic homes and museums, and they're having a festival with old-timey arts & crafts, music, and farm animals. They'll have re-enactors tell stories about the life of real women during the Revolutionary War. The Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA.978-369-3909. more
Harvest Festival @ Plimoth Plantation	10/10	South Shore
Plimoth Plantation is getting in a re-enactment, and it's great just just visit anytime.You'll see all kinds of old-timey food preparation. And pilgrims. And native americans. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. more
His Majesty`s First Regiment, Foot Guards	10/10	Metro West
My favorite national park doesn't disappoint either, with a re-enact of what it was like to be on the Other Side, the British side! Hartwell Tavern, Rt. 2A, Lincoln, MA. more
Colonial Days at The Adams Birthplaces	10/12	South Shore
At my other favorite national park, Quincy will have a re-enactor playing Abigail Adams to tell stories of the colonial period, also. And it's free! McYintire Mall next to Quincy City Hall, Quincy, MA. more
Roman Legion Re-enactment @ Higgins Armory	10/10	Worcester
Nobody can beat this, though. The Higgins Armory is a museum in a castle-like building featuring medieval and renaissance armor and weaponry. They have a number of fun events all year and it's definitely worth the trip. On a single day they will have re-enactors from Ancient Rome, and a 14th century knight. 100 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA.508-853-6015. more
Battle for the Airfield - WWII Reenactment	10/10 - 10/11	Metro West
OK, this might beat it. How about a re-enactment of a WWII airplane battle? 978-562-9182, Stow, MA. more
Mystery Dinner @ USS Constitution Museum	10/8	Boston Metro
It's not on the website, but it's in their events newsletter. There's a murder mystery dinner at or near the USS Constitution, an old warship. Call to make sure it's still happening and to reserve tickets. Boston, MA. more
Singles Night @ Connors Farm Corn Maze	10/9	North Shore
I like farms open to the public. And then you add a corn maze. And then you make it at night. And then you add... a singles event... WTF? Gotta see it! 30 Valley Road (Rt. 35), Danvers, MA.978-777-1245. more
12th Annual Guy Fawkes Bonfire	10/10	Rhode Island
Another WTF moment is... a bonfire, live music, burning an effigy, and a re-enactment of an old British execution! Who wouldn't pay to see that... but it's FREEEEEEEEEE. (If you can get to Rhode Island.). Andrea Hotel, 89 Atlantic Ave, Misquamicut Beach, RI. more more
River Fire @ Northern Forest Heritage Park	10/10	New Hampshire
Fire is also featured in this event they must have 'borrowed' from Providence, RI. As well as setting part of their river on fire, they'll have a carnival , hayrides, and 'entertainment'. 961 Main Street, Berlin, NH.(603) 752-7202. more
The Quest for Innovation	10/9	Boston Metro
This game is a city-wide scavenger hunt that looks eerily professional, one of these mobile device games I've been listing lately. You'll learn something about local entrepreneurship, too. Boston, MA. more
One Sky One World	10/11	Boston Metro
There's a charity with unspecified goals that encourages people to all fly kites at the same time, in places all over the world, to "celebrate peace". It's weird and looks fun. Call for actual locations but I bet you a dollar it's Fort Adams Park in Newport, RI and Pope John Paul Park in Dorchester. Call for Location, Dorchester, MA & Newport, RI. more more
Stargazing at Notchview	10/10	Western Mass
While you're looking up, might as well use a telescope. As always with telescope events, call ahead to ensure good weather. FREE. 6pm. Route 9, Windsor, MA.413.532.1631 x13. more
Fall Foliage Hiking Around New England	10/10 - 11/10	Worcester
While you're out west, check out the Fall foliage in the Berkshires. Where's a good place to go to see Fall Foliage closer to Boston? The closest is the Blue Hills in Canton, MA, Wachusett Mountain Reservation (which is the same mountain but a separate entrance from Mt. Wachusett Ski Resort), and the Berkshires. Or go north to Mount Monadnock in southern NH. Don't have a car? Try the Middlesex Fells which you can get to on the subway. Or see this website for other parks. Various, Various. more more
New Hampshire Fall Festival	10/10	New Hampshire
Up in New Hampshire is one of the re-enactment villages in New England, Strawbery Banke. (Like the folks at Plimoth Plantation, they can't spell very well.) I've been and it's worth seeing, but only if you'll be doing something else in the area also. This week they're having a harvest festival. Tons of demonstrations of sheep dogs, oxen teams, and historic manufacturing techniques. Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH.603-422-7514. more
Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival	10/11 - 10/12	North Shore
Too far for you? Here's a merchant event with lots of vendors, and a few street performers, the ubiquitous face-painting, plus a scarecrow contest on Sunday. Various venues downtown, Newburyport, MA. more
Fest O' Fall @ The Blue Hills	10/10 - 10/12	South Shore
Still too far? Here's another festival, mainly a kids thing, with live animals and demonstration of native american historical living. Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave, Milton, MA.617-333-0690. more
Fenway Cultural Festival (Opening Our Doors!)	10/12	Boston Metro
Still too far away? Fenway is holding an eclectic series of music, dance, theater, and other cultural events in various venues, without a "street festival" component. With disparate venues, it's only sort of a festival, but it's free! Boston, MA. more
MFA Fall Open House	10/12	Boston Metro
As part of the Fenway Cultural Festival, the MFA offers free admission, where as well as the regular exhibits, you can dance, listen to lectures or make a clay pendant. Because nothing says Christmas to Mom like, "Look! I made you a clay pendant! It is a blob of clay on a string and I made it myself! 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Transporterfest / Volkswagon Day	10/11	Boston Metro
If I had to stay metro though, I'm sure I'd be at the Larz Anderson, having yet another auto show on the lawn at the Museum of Transporation. See a bunch of old Volkswagon bugs that were so popular in the 1970s, and more. Larz Anderson Museum of Transportation, Brookline, MA.617-522-6547. more
Archaeology Week at Museum of Science	10/12 - 10/15	Boston Metro
It's Archaeology Week at the Museum of Science, Boston, which features an Archaeology Activity Fair and it's unclear whether it's kid-friendly or kids-only-adults-bored-stupid. I've been to fantastic but adults-bored-stupid events at the Museum of Science. Science Park, Boston, MA.617-723-2500. more
National Cranberry Festival	10/10	South Shore
What's so intereting about cranberries? Who cares, they'll have fireworks! And Edaville Railroad is great fun for adults as well as kids - I've been there -- with a ferris wheel & merry-go-round and train rides, arts & crafts, the ubiquitous face-painting, and a visit from Hello Kitty. Rt 3S to exit 6, Rt 44W 8 mi to Rt 58S. Edaville Railroad, Carver, MA.877-332-8455. more
Somerville Riverfest	10/10	Boston Metro
Last week was rained out, so Riverfest is now this Saturday! And they'll have fireworks! Rain date next day. Assembly Square, Somerville, MA. more more
Also Fun
Massachusetts Cranberry Harvest Festival	10/10 - 10/11	South Shore
This one's not at an amusement park, but they'll have juggling, pony rides, live owls, lots of vendors, and tours of a real bog. Watch out for bogey men! A. D. Makepeace, 158 Tihonet Road, Wareham, MA.508-747-7525. more more
Cranberry Festival 2009	10/10	Southern Mass
Bog tours also happen on Nantucket Island, plus hay rides and sheep shearing demonstrations. Do I get to hold the clippers? Where's my Purell? Nantucket Island, MA. more
Fall Festival at Marshall Farm	9/19 - 10/11	Northern Mass
Marshall Farm will have a mechanical bull, a giant slide, and train rides, as well as the usual farm festival stuff like music and animals. 340 Marshall Road, Fitchburg, MA. more
Mashpee Pumpkin Carving Festival	10/10	Cape Cod
There's a world-famous pumpkin carver at this Cape Cod event. Mashepee Commons, Mashpee, MA. more
Grotonfest	10/10	Metro West
This festival has the usual live music, artists and vendors, and lots of dance and music performance. And llamas. What about the air show? Was there ever an air show at Grotonfest or am I going insane? Legion Common, between Route 119 and Hollis Street, Groton, MA. more
Pumpkin Day @ Bourne Farm	10/9	Cape Cod
Petting zoo, hay rides, pumpkin picking, canoeing, unspecified "crafts" and the ubiquitous face-painting. Bourne Farm, 6 North Falmouth Hwy, Falmouth, MA.508-548-8484. more
Milford Great Pumpkin Festival	10/9 - 10/11	New Hampshire
There are tons of small towny festivals in New England. These are just a sampling. This one has a haunted trail! Basically a haunted 'house' where the house is a forest. Saves on stage building. Milford, NH. more
Warner Fall Foliage Festival	10/9 - 10/11	New Hampshire
The look of this website is tiny, but actually, they have a pretty creative schedule, with a pie-eating contest, two parades, a woodman's contest, and a 'midway' which must be a carnival, right? Warner, NH.603-456-9775. more
Taunton River Folk Festival	10/9 - 10/12	Southern Mass
I might rather recommend this folk festival in Taunton, which has three indoor performance stages and plenty of participatory singing (and jamming if you play an instrument). Taunton, MA. more
Somersworth Pumpkin Festival	10/10	New Hampshire
This one looks pretty lame until you notice... they have a CATAPULT! And a bunch of other fun stuff, poorly marketed. Somersworth, NH. more more
Federal Hill Columbus Day Feast	10/10 - 10/12	Rhode Island
Go to Providence and eat, eat! In Little Italy, which they call Federal Hill, they'll have a parade on Sunday at 12pm. It's free. Atwells Avenue, Providence, RI. more
International Oktoberfest	10/10 - 10/12	Rhode Island
Also in Rhode Island, here's an event which features "German food, music, and culture". And by culture they mean food and music. And by food they mean bratwurst and beer. Newport Yachting Center, Newport, RI. more
Out of the Darkness	10/10	Boston Metro
This is a charity walk to help suicide prevention. 10am-12pm. Artesani Park, Brighton, MA. more
Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women	10/12	Boston Metro
And this one's apparently for women. (Is there a men's health walk?). Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
United Nations Association Film Festival	10/8 - 10/11	Boston Metro
Films from around the world. They will have a reception though and a couple of filmmaker talks, making this a real festival. Brattle Theatre & Kennedy School of Gov't, Cambridge, MA. more
Paradise City Arts Festival (Northampton)	10/10 - 10/12	Western Mass
It's a merchant event. It's in Western Massachusetts. Rent a hot tub while you're in town, from eastheaven.com. Northampton, MA. more
Halloween
Kink 101 Club Halloween Party	10/10	Boston Metro
Tis the season for Halloween parties. Here's one of the most off-beat, this free party for people curious about sexuality. Cambridge, MA. more
Zombie Walk Salem	10/10	North Shore
Do you like zombies? Dress as one and go on a (fake) rampage! Salem, MA. more
The Retro Zombie Ball	10/10	North Shore
Much higher production quality is this zombie-themed costume ball featuring retro music from the 1970s and 1980s. Finz, Salem, MA. more
Salem Chamber of Commerce Halloween Biz Baz	10/10 - 10/11	North Shore
Or this street festival with live music, vendors, street performers. Salem, MA. more
Boo-tiful Pet Halloween Contest	10/11	North Shore
People will dress up their pets in costume. That's not abuse, right? Salem Common, Salem, MA. more
Recurring
The Donkey Show	8/21 - 10/31	Boston Metro
I was very impressed by The Donkey Show, which is a 1970s disco dance party that you can join in, with a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". By itself, that would be worth seeing. But then they take it one level higher with special effets, and then one level higher than THAT with a twist ending. I've seen a lot of weird events in my time. This one is a must-see! 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA. more
King Richard's Faire (Ren Faire)	9/5 - 10/25	South Shore
New England's largest renaissance ends this weekend. 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
Carousel on Boston Common	9/8 - 10/20	Boston Metro
Also the last weekend for the carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond. Only $2. Closing whenever weather gets cold. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more
Recurring Events
FirstWorksProv	9/24 - 10/15	Rhode Island
This series of performances and gallery exhibitions should in no way be considered a 'festival'. That being said, a number of the concerts look interesting. Various Places, Providence, RI. more more
Salem Halloween Happenings	10/1 - 10/31	North Shore
Salem is on the commuter rail and there's no excuse to miss it this time of year. JUST GO. All the attractions are located near the visitors' center. Avoid anything that looks touristy. I recommend: the Pirate Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, The Peabody Essex Museum, and catch the theatre shows at the House of Seven Gables. Rt 128N to exit 25A, Rt 114E, follow signs to visitor's center. Park at Visitors Center and walk around, Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more more more more more
Ringling Bros. Circus (annual)	10/1 - 10/14	Boston Metro
Everybody loves the circus! I bet it's great fun. Various. more
Pilobolus Dance Troupe	10/13	Worcester
I've seen this troupe and it's truly amazing the dances that they do. A must see! Also Nov 8 in Plymouth, NH. Worcester, MA. more
Travel
Connecticut Renaissance Faire	9/26 - 10/18	Connecticut
I've heard this one is better and bigger than King Richard's Faire, and it's not too far: just 1.5 hrs from Boston. It's just across the border into Connecticut. Raine or shine. Weekends & holidays, 10am-6pm. Woodstock, CT.860-923-0454. more
Oktoberfest Weekend @ Folk Arts Center of New England	10/9 - 10/12	Boston Metro
You have to drive all the way to Vermont for a folk dance or a harvest festival? Fairlee, VT. more

Want this weekly? subscribe. My blogs: Weird Boston Events & Wheel Questions, Wheel Answers. Send encouragement & ideas to johnny@weirdbostonevents.org.

Halloween Haunted Houses This Week

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:45:53 -0500

Haunted Houses & other attractions		grade	W Oct 7	R Oct 8	F Oct 9	S Oct 10	S Oct 11	M Oct 12	T Oct 13	W Oct 14
Ghosts and Gravestones Tour (in Boston)	Boston, MA
7 nights a week. 1.5 hour tour. Claim to be grounded, not "paranomal" weirdness. 2009: Tours depart at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 pm. 617-908-8230. more		?	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
The Haunted Ship aboard the USS Salem	Quincy, MA
Haunted house. Also less scary "Family Days". Inexpensive and convenient, great location, but the actors aren't trying that hard, and the décor is only OK. 2009: Thursdays 7-10, Fri/Sat 7pm-12am. 739 Washington Street, Quincy, MA.617-479-7900. more		B-			X	X	X
Canobie Lake Screeemfest / Spooky World	Salem, NH
Haunted house. 85 North Policy Street, Salem, NH.(603) 893-3506 or 617-653-5959. more		?			X	X	X	X
Harvest of Horrors	East Falmouth, MA
Cape Cod's biggest haunted house. 2009 6:00-9pm. $10. Tony Andrews Farm, 394 Old Meeting House, East Falmouth, MA.508-563-3378. more		?			X	X	X
Harvest of Horror @ Chamingfare Farm	Candia, NH
4 different attractions, viewed from a horse-drawn wagon. 774 High Street, Candia, NH.603 483-5623. more		?			X	X	X
Haunted Acres	Epping, NH
Rt 93N to ex 7, Rt 101E, ex 8, left off exit. Dragway straight ahead.Three attractions & forest walk. Rain or shine. 272 Exter Road, Epping, NH.603-679-1666. more		A			X	X	X
Morbid Mountain	Gilford, NH
Haunted Houses at the grounds of ski area Gunstock Mountain. 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH.603-293-4341 ext 164. more		?			X	X	X
Nightmare New England	Litchfield, NH
6-10:30pm, or 6-11pm Fri/Sat. 4 attractions. Looks great, but I'm told the lines are impossibly long, so arrive early. 454 Charles Bancroft Highway (RT 3A), Litchfield, NH.603.424.2292. more		?			X	X	X	X
The Haunted Trail @ Emerson Park	Milford, NH
2009: 6:30-9:30pm. Emerson Park, Milford, NH.603-672-4567. more		?			X	X
Fright Kingdom	Nashua, NH
You can pay extra to skip to the front of the line. Kids matinee Sundays. "Haunted Circus" performances. 12 Simon Street, Nashua, NH. more		?			X	X	X
Ghoullog Halloween Haunted Chairlift Ride	North Conway, NH
Board the ski lift for a Halloween experience on the ride up and on the peak! $25. more		?			X	X	X
Asylum of Horror	Fall River, MA
Haunted house. See website for coupons. 2009: 7-11pm or later. Anawan St., Fall River, MA.508-324-7709. more		A-			X	X	X	X
Factory of Terror	Fall River, MA
Haunted house. Rt 195E to exit 5. Left off exit. Behind Dunkin Donuts. See website coupon. On off nights they have a ghost tour, "GT". 18 Pocasset Street, Fall River, MA. more		B			X	X	X	X
Chilling Tales on board Friendship of Salem	Salem, MA
Ghost stories. The best of the Salem Halloween attractions I've been to. 2009: 5-9pm. Derby Street near the big ship, Salem, MA.978-790-8546. more		A-			X	X	X
Cry Innocent!	Salem, MA
Performance. Loved it. Multiple shows daily. Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA.978-867-4767. more		A				X	X
Year-Round Salem Attractions	Salem, MA
Haunted houses. Frankenstein's Laboratory, The Haunted Witch Village (Salem Witch Village). more		C+	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Legacy of the Hanging Judge & Spirit of the Gables (re-enactment)	Salem, MA
2009: 7:30-9:30 thru Oct 11, thereafter 7:15-11pm. Salem Witch Trials re-enactment/performance. Buy tix in advance. 7 Derby St., Salem, MA.978.744.0991 x104. more		A			X	X	X
Spiritways: A Night in Beseiged Salem Village	Salem, MA
Performance. Every hour from 7:13 to 11:13pm. Derby Square (or "Pioneer Village"), Salem, MA. more		?				X
Haunted Castle of Freaky Fobic Fear	Haverhill, MA
Winnekenni Castle in Haverhill with four different attractions. Special less scary days for small children some Sundays. 347 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA.978-521-1686. more		?			X	X	X
Witch's Woods	Westford, MA
Haunted house. COSTUME BALL Oct 1st! Rt 2W to Rt. 2A/119, 6mi to Powers Rd. The worst one, skip it! Nashoba Ski, Westford, MA.978-692-3033. more		C		X	X	X	X
Field of Screams	West Greenwich, RI
2009: Open 6:30, gates close 9pm RS, 10pm FSun. 3 attractions. Website coupon. Outdoors, call if bad weather. 401-884-7369. more		?			X	X	X	X
Barrett's Haunted Mansion	Abington, MA
Rt 3S to Rt 18S. Great! See website coupon or get one at the restaurant next door. 1235 Bedford St, Abington, MA.781-871-4573. more		A+			X	X	X	X
Lakeville Haunted House	Lakeville, MA
Haunted house. Gates open 6pm, last tickets sold 10pm. Rain or shine. 28 Precinct Street, Lakeville, MA.508-923-0053. more		?			X	X
Haunted Pirate Ship aboard Mayflower II	Plymouth, MA
5:30-8pm. more		?				X	X
Berwick's House of Horrors (Berwick's Boys Foundation)	West Bridgewater, MA
2009: 6:30-10pm. Rt 24S to ex 16B, Rt 106W. Right at lights after Charlie Horse onto Manley. See website coupon. 335 West Street, West Bridgewater, MA.508-586-0059. more		?				X	X
The Haunted Theatre	Foxboro, MA
Haunted house. 2009: FS 7-10pm, Kid-friendly, Sun 1-3pm. Orpheum Theatre, 1 School St, Foxboro, MA.508-543-2787 ×4. more		?			X	X	kids
Winslow Farm "Haunting in the Woods	Norton, MA
Haunted walks both for kids and adults. $10. Dark to 9:30pm FS, to 9pm Sun. 37 Eddy Street, Norton, MA.508-285-6451. more		?			X	X

Zombie, Monster, Old Invention, Kennedy Greenyway & Ag Fests, Fireworks, Full Moon Hikes & Canoe

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:28:17 -0500

I'm running a charity walk in October! It's below. Please tell your friends. This week I've been too busy to grab a bunch of photos. You'll just have to imagine it. :)

Here's your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
J. Cannibal's Feast of Flesh	10/3	Boston Metro
The weird event of the week is a zombie festival! Hosted in a movie theatre, you'll see live music and burlesque, a costume competition and more, followed by a zombie film. I've been and it's strangely classy & intelligent, really great. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more
Boston Monster March	10/24	Boston Metro
Also monstrous, this event is mine! I'm managing what should be the biggest festival in October: a costume charity walk and festival to benefit the Samaritans. You'll find live music, a costume competition, prizes, giveaways, vendors, food, and... if I can get the City of Boston on board, lots of inflatable amusements meant for adults. The idea is to sign up in advance to fundraise and show off your costume by emailing your friends. Please check it out and if you love Johnny's list, tell your friends! City Hall Plaza (Gov't Center), Boston, MA. more
Mr. E. Floyd: The Pink Floyd Theatrical Rock Show	10/2	Boston Metro
My favorite tribute band is playing in Arlington. My bet: a bright future for these guys, who reproduce Pink Floyd without using any backing tracks or CDs. Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA. more
Topsfield Fair	10/2 - 10/12	North Shore
They'll also have amusement park stuff, at one of the largest and best of Massachusetts agricultural fairs, but that's because Fiesta Shows is running an entire carnival. See pig racing, a petting farm, sand sculptures, milking and bee keeping and wood carving demonstrations, and lots of animal show and pie competition goodness. MITAC discount. AAA discount. Topsfield, MA. more
Riverfest at Assembly Square	10/3	Boston Metro
Somerville's festival would be the typical music and "games for families", except that they'll have fireworks! Rain date next day. Assembly Square, Somerville, MA. more more
Try Something New @ Kennedy Greenway	10/3	Boston Metro
Remember the Big Dig? Now that the highway is underground, there's a new park in Boston, the Kennedy Greenway. It's near the Aquarium subway stop. They're having a festival all about workshops: cooking, fitness, a farmers market, interactive art displays and of course the carousel. The real draw though is ""an artificial ice surface"" that lets you ice skate. So what is it made of? Are they renting skates? Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA.
Annual Yankee Steam-Up	10/3	Rhode Island
How about trying something old? Also 19th century, before they had gas engines, they used steam. Can they bring steam engines back to solve global warming? Probably not since all that steam came from coal. This festival showcases working steam engines of every kind. New England Wireless and Steam Museum, 1300 Frenchtown Rd., East Greenwich, RI.401-885-0545. more
Guided Moonlight Paddle	10/3	Western Mass
I love an excuse to be out doing something creative at night. I assume this one has beauty to change your life. 5-7pm. Bartholomew's Cobble, Sheffield, MA.413.229.8600. more
Full Moon Guided Hike	10/2	Worcester
This one's later and probably even better. The full moon makes it practical. 7-9pm. Free,. Cormier Woods, Uxbridge, MA.978.840.4446 x1913. more
Moonlight Mazing @ Davis Farmland	10/3	Worcester
Also under the full moon, the fantastic corn maze at Davis Farmland is open at night! 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Kimball Farm Full Moon Corn Maze	10/2 - 10/3	Northern Mass
This farm has the same idea. I've been to this one and it's fun also, but a much smaller venue. Bring a flashlight. The draw here is that they have a "pumpkin launcher", which I can only hope is a catapult. Kimball Farm Corn Maze, 780 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA.978 521-3990. more
Coppal House Farm Corn Maze - Night Maze	10/3 - 10/10	New Hampshire
The night maze at Coppal House Farm continues. The big attraction here is that they'll have a bonfire. Bring a flashlight, and get a peek of their Haunted House in construction. 118 North River Road, Lee, NH.603-659-3572. more
Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony & Lectures	10/1	Boston Metro
I mentioned this one last week and tickets may be sold out, It's the phony comic "awards" given to real scientists doing bizarre and unintuitive research. Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Renaissance Ball at MIT	11/8	Boston Metro
Speaking of sold out, I'm announcing this event in advance because it just seems really cool. A large ballroom is transformed into a Renaissance court! Purchase tix by Oct 16. Doesn't say MIT-only. 2pm-4:30pm. $10. MIT Walker Hall, 142 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA. more
Lowell Celebrates Kerouac	10/1 - 10/4	Northern Mass
Lowell is another city that tries extra hard (Quincy is another.) This event is based on Jack Kerouac, who is from Lowell MA. His books including "On The Road", encourage wanderlust. This festival looks surprisingly meaty considering it's inspired by book-lovers. They'll have tours of the area, a marathon book reading, music events, and commentary on Jack Kerouac. Lowell, MA. more
Chelsea Kite Festival	10/3	Boston Metro
Can I say something? Stop complaining about the cold! You'll wear yourself out. Look, we've got a whole winter to get through. Get OUTDOORS and enjoy the early Fall. I'm sure the Chelsea Kite Festival will be worth seeing, with kites of all different shapes and colors. No details are given about kite competitions or vendors, so I'm guessing basically it's people flying kites in a park with no real scheduled 'event'. Mary O'Malley Park on the Mystic River, Admiral's Hill, Chelsea, MA. more
Garlicky-Greens Eating World Championship	10/3	Boston Metro
I've spoken with the owner of bGood, the surprising well-marketed community restaurant, and this event has now attracted "professional eaters". I'd like to see that! Legacy Place, Dedham, MA. more
Boston Tattoo Convention	10/2 - 10/4	Boston Metro
It's weird all right: The Boston Tattoo Convention. 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
Roxbury Open Studios	10/3 - 10/4	Boston Metro
Open studios are an excuse to stroll around the city visiting the homes and work studios of artists. Of course they want you to buy art, but at least you aren't meeting vendors! It's usually a fun time. Roxbury, MA. more
Green Buildings Open House	10/3	Boston Metro
This one involves private homes being opened to the public, too. Buildings all across New England are open for tours to show off renewable energy and energy conservation features. Various - see map, Everywhere. more
Forest Hills Dog Walk	10/3	Boston Metro
Or go walking with your dog instead, in a guided tour of monuments in the cemetery that your dog can put one leg up against. I went one year (without a dog!) as a favor for a friend who loves dogs. It was fun. Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA. more
E.E. Cummings Celebration	10/4	Boston Metro
Also at Forest Hills, a celebration for the poet who do'd "know it" and who is buried there. 2pm. Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA. more
Annual Roslindale Day Parade	10/4	Boston Metro
Personally I'd rather be taking in the gentrification nearby in the Roslindale Parade. There doesn't appear to be anything in additional to the parade, despite the name "Roslindale Day". Roslindale, MA. more
Lumberjack Competitions & Festival	10/4	New Hampshire
I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay! Alright, I'm not a lumberjack, but I could fantasize at this festival with a log rolling contest and a lot more! Berlin, NH.603-752-7202. more
Fall Foliage Canoe @ Broadmoor	10/3 - 10/4	Metro West
You can also go canoeing in Natick, but they go one step further by actually providing the canoes. And a guide. Pre-register. $32. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot Street, Natick, MA.508-655-2296. more
Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival	10/3 - 10/4	Western Mass
With over 15,000 attending, they claim this is the longest-running and best-known community event in the Berkshires. They'll have demonstrations of blacksmithing and wool spinning, hay rides, a haunted house, a pumpkin toss, crafts vendors, live music, and of course, face painting. Rtes. 102 and 183, Stockbridge, MA.413/298-3926. more
Mercedes Day @ Larz Anderson Museum	10/4	Boston Metro
The Larz Anderson has another of its classy lawn festivals, this time featuring mercedes. Mercedeseses. Mercs. 15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-522-6547. more
Fort Adams in the Fall Car Festival	10/4	Rhode Island
Or zip down to Newport and see the historic mansions and the historic cars. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI.401-841-0707. more
AltWheels Transportation Festival	10/5	Metro West
Personally I'd rather see the cards of the future, even at the shocking price of $65. They say it's for "car industry people". Staples World Headquarters, Framingham, MA.508-698-6810. more
Wait Wait Don't Tell Me	10/8	Boston Metro
My favorite NPR show is swinging through town. Get your tickets now! (And give one to me!). Citiwang Theatre, Boston, MA. more
Fantastical Creatures Festival	10/3 - 10/4	North Shore
You don't need an excuse to visit Salem in October. Just go! But they'll have a treasure hunt throughout the museum and projects, like making a huge cardboard fish with a reknowned artist. Salem, MA. more
Also Fun
Samaritans 5K Run/Walk and Family Fest	10/3	Boston Metro
Did I mention the Samaritans? Oh yeah, I did. Although smaller, this event should fetch 3,000 people or more. Run along the Charles River and then a festival with music, games, kid's events. Artesani Park, 1234 Soldiers Field Rd Road, Brighton, MA.617-536-2460. more
Juvenile Diabetes Walk	10/3	Boston Metro
It's yet another charity walk, if that's your thing. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk	10/4	Boston Metro
No doubt a worthy charity walk. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Lung Bike Ride	10/2 - 10/4	South Shore
Why make strides when you can make cycles? Goes from Plymouth to Provincetown. Plymouth, MA. more
Family Fun For Farber	10/4	Boston Metro
What is it about walking? Why can't we party for charity? This day will have so many games and rides and rodeo things and pony rides, you just have to go. And Miss Massachusetts will be there! Buy tix in advance. 1-4pm. Ironstone Farm, Andover, MA. more
Maynard FEST	10/3	Northern Mass
Maynard steps forward and dominates the region with its own festial, the largest harvest fest in the area. Magic pumpkin painting, fireworks, vendors. Maynard, MA. more
Grotonfest	10/3	Metro West
This festival has the usual live music, artists and vendors, and lots of dance and music performance. And llamas. What about the air show? Was there ever an air show at Grotonfest or am I going insane? Groton, MA. more
Films Of Mystery & Madness: Edgar Allan Poe On Screen	10/2 - 10/13	Boston Metro
Speaking of insanity, if you're not mad beforehand, after 12 days of Edgar Allan Poe film, you might be. Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Lincoln, Douglass and the Transformative Power of Words	10/3	Boston Metro
No doubt this lecture on Lincoln, who was born the same year as Poe, is interesting, also. Student Center Ballroom, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Norman Bird Sanctuary Annual Harvest Fair	10/3 - 10/4	Rhode Island
Do you love birds? Come see what's happening at the "Monkey Bridge" and "Mud Pit". 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, RI.401-846-2577. more
Block Island Birding Weekend	10/3 - 10/4	Newport Area
Also about birds, but expensive: the Audubon Society will lead field trips for both newbie and expert bird-watchers. It lasts all weekend and they want $450. Yikes! Block Island, RI. more
North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival	10/3 - 10/4	North Shore
Now back to festivals. It's not just a garlic festival, it's an arts festival! They'll have a bunch of cooking and artist demonstrations, workshops, and (for those who are gullible) 'healing arts'. My favorite events on their schedule: clogging, yo yo-ing, Indian Bhangra dancing, a garlic sack race, and a garlic and egg toss. Vampires welcome! Orange, MA. more
Harvest Fair @ The Growing Center	10/3	Boston Metro
And the first of the harvest fests are here. They'll have cider making, pumpkin decorating, music, and games, at this small but apparently powerful venue. Rain date the next day. Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Avenue, Somerville, MA. more
Weir River Farm Fall Festival	10/3	South Shore
It's Fall. Let's have a festival. 10am-2pm. Weir River Farm, Hingham, MA. more
North Adams Fall Foliage Parade	10/4	Western Mass
Here's an excuse to head to Western Massachusetts to North Adams, where you can see the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). Oh, and fall foliage season begins! Downtown, North Adams, MA. more
Barnstable County Harvest Festival	10/3 - 10/4	Cape Cod
Let's have a BIG festival! Rain or shine, with live music and various agricultural faire goodness. County Fairgrounds, Rt 151, East Falmouth, MA.508-563-3200. more
Family Weekend at Fitchburg State College	10/2 - 10/3	Metro West
I don't really list college events for the parents. But this one comes with a parade & fireworks! Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA. more
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch @ MIT	10/2 - 10/4	Boston Metro
MIT has a glassblowing laboratory and every year they sell glass pumpkins in a big outdoor display. May be worth stopping by. Kresge Oval, MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA.617-253-5309. more
Ringling Bros. Circus (annual)	10/1 - 10/14	Boston Metro
Everybody loves the circus! I bet it's great fun. Various. more
Jazzfest Falmouth	10/2 - 10/3	Cape Cod
Yo Daddy-o. It's jaaaaaaaazz. Falmouth Harbor Band Shell, Falmouth, MA. more
Oktoberfest	10/3	Boston Metro
Although I can't find this on their website, I'm pretty sure this is happening. German International School Boston, 57 Holton Street, Allston, MA.617 783 2600. more
Baked Fresh at the South Boston Market	10/4	Boston Metro
Let's not mince words here. This is a merchant event. Still, the SoWa people have good art to sell, and there'll be live music. 540 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Halloween
Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Parade	10/1	North Shore
Halloween starts this week! And I bet this is the cutest thing ever! It's a kids parade, all in costume. Shetland Park to Salem Common, Salem, MA.978-744-0004. more
Recurring
The Donkey Show	8/21 - 10/31	Boston Metro
Like the Matrix, no one can tell you what The Donkey Show is. You have to see it for yourself. But I'll try. It's a disco dance party that you can join from the 1970s, but with a mix of modern music, and interspersed with the dance party are scenes from a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". By itself, that would be worth seeing. But then they take it one level higher with special effets, and then one level higher than THAT with a twist ending. I've seen a lot of weird events in my time. This one is a must-see! 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Collings Foundation Living History Weekend	9/28 - 10/7	Metro West
This one's from the World war II era. They'll have tons of aircraft and vehicles, and even a flying demo that seems to include a mock battle! Also some WWII veterans will be speaking. No reservation needed. 137 Barton Road, Stow, MA.978-562-9182. more
Carousel on Boston Common	9/8 - 10/20	Boston Metro
Visit the carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond. Only $2. Closing whenever weather gets cold. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more
Wings of Freedom Tour	9/16 - 10/2	North Shore
This airplane show is all over: 9/8-10 in Lincoln, RI; 9/10-12 in Hyannis, MA; 9/12-15 in Plymouth, MA; 9/15-17 in Plymouth, NH; 9/17-19 in Manchester, NH; 9/19-9/22 in Beverly, MA; 9/22-24 in New Bedford, MA. This one you actually get to fly in an old bomber aircraft and it's far more expensive. Various Locations. more
Recurring Events
Eastern States Exposition	9/18 - 10/4	Springfield
It's the 9th largest agricultural fair in the United States, and it shows. Over 1.1M people attend and every kind of hokey "as seen on TV" product is available at the many vendors booths. They'll have an okay traveling carnival, a horse show, actual famous musicians, and a great circus! They'll also have a slightly alarming "New England in Miniature" called Storrowton which is the only part of New England that many tourists will ever see. Rt 90W to exit 4. Rt 5S. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. more
FirstWorksProv	9/24 - 10/15	Rhode Island
This series of performances and gallery exhibitions should in no way be considered a 'festival'. That being said, a number of the concerts look interesting. Various Places, Providence, RI. more more
Salem Halloween Happenings	10/1 - 10/31	North Shore
Salem is on the commuter rail and there's no excuse to miss it this time of year. JUST GO. All the attractions are located near the visitors' center. Avoid anything that looks touristy. I recommend: the Pirate Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, The Peabody Essex Museum, and catch the theatre shows at the House of Seven Gables. Rt 128N to exit 25A, Rt 114E, follow signs to visitor's center. Park at Visitors Center and walk around, Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more more more more more
New England Fringe Festival	9/24 - 10/4	Boston Metro
Arty but small, this 'festival' is a series of dance, theatre, and storytelling performances. I went once and it was creative but not well attended. Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall, 182 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA.978-667-0550. more
Recurring
King Richard's Faire (Ren Faire)	9/5 - 10/25	South Shore
New England's largest renaissance faire continues. 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
Connecticut Renaissance Faire	9/26 - 10/18	Connecticut
I've heard this one is better and bigger than King Richard's Faire, and it's not too far: just 1.5 hrs from Boston. It's just across the border into Connecticut. Raine or shine. Weekends & holidays, 10am-6pm. Woodstock, CT.860-923-0454. more
Annual Living History "Time Line	10/3 - 10/4	Vermont
Most re-enactment events focus on one era, of course. This one has everything from Ancient Rome to today!! It may very well be worth the 3 hour drive from Boston, if you make a whole weekend of it. West Dover, VT. more

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Halloween Haunted Houses This Week

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:25:57 -0500

Once again, Johnny's List of Weird Boston Events gives you the largest list of haunted houses in New England! I track 58 of them, plus all the one-day festivals. Here are the ones that are open each week. Each one is like an interactive theatre show where you get to play a role. Check some out!

Haunted Houses & other attractions		grade	W Sep 30	R Oct 1	F Oct 2	S Oct 3	S Oct 4	M Oct 5	T Oct 6	W Oct 7
Ghosts and Gravestones Tour (in Boston)	Boston, MA
7 nights a week. 1.5 hour tour. Claim to be grounded, not "paranomal" weirdness. 2009: Tours depart at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 pm. 617-908-8230. more		?	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Canobie Lake Screeemfest / Spooky World	Salem, NH
Haunted house. 85 North Policy Street, Salem, NH.(603) 893-3506 or 617-653-5959. more		?			X	X	X
Haunted Acres	Epping, NH
Rt 93N to ex 7, Rt 101E, ex 8, left off exit. Dragway straight ahead.Three attractions & forest walk. Rain or shine. 272 Exter Road, Epping, NH.603-679-1666. more		A			X	X	X
Morbid Mountain	Gilford, NH
Haunted Houses at the grounds of ski area Gunstock Mountain. 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH.603-293-4341 ext 164. more		?			X	X
Nightmare New England	Litchfield, NH
6-10:30pm, or 6-11pm Fri/Sat. 4 attractions. Looks great, but I'm told the lines are impossibly long, so arrive early. 454 Charles Bancroft Highway (RT 3A), Litchfield, NH.603.424.2292. more		?			X	X	X
Fright Kingdom	Nashua, NH
You can pay extra to skip to the front of the line. Kids matinee Sundays. "Haunted Circus" performances. 12 Simon Street, Nashua, NH. more		?			X	X	X
Ghoullog Halloween Haunted Chairlift Ride	North Conway, NH
Board the ski lift for a Halloween experience on the ride up and on the peak! $25. more		?			X	X
Asylum of Horror	Fall River, MA
Haunted house. See website for coupons. 2009: 7-11pm or later. Anawan St., Fall River, MA.508-324-7709. more		A-			X	X	X
Factory of Terror	Fall River, MA
Haunted house. Rt 195E to exit 5. Left off exit. Behind Dunkin Donuts. See website coupon. On off nights they have a ghost tour, "GT". 18 Pocasset Street, Fall River, MA. more		B			X	X	X
Cry Innocent!	Salem, MA
Performance. Loved it. Multiple shows daily. Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA.978-867-4767. more		A				X	X
Year-Round Salem Attractions	Salem, MA
Haunted houses. Frankenstein's Laboratory, The Haunted Witch Village (Salem Witch Village). more		C+	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Haunted Castle of Freaky Fobic Fear	Haverhill, MA
Winnekenni Castle in Haverhill with four different attractions. Special less scary days for small children some Sundays. 347 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA.978-521-1686. more		?			X	X	X
Witch's Woods	Westford, MA
Haunted house. COSTUME BALL Oct 1st! Rt 2W to Rt. 2A/119, 6mi to Powers Rd. The worst one, skip it! Nashoba Ski, Westford, MA.978-692-3033. more		C		X	X	X	X
Field of Screams	West Greenwich, RI
2009: Open 6:30, gates close 9pm RS, 10pm FSun. 3 attractions. Website coupon. Outdoors, call if bad weather. 401-884-7369. more		?			X	X	X
Barrett's Haunted Mansion	Abington, MA
Rt 3S to Rt 18S. Great! See website coupon or get one at the restaurant next door. 1235 Bedford St, Abington, MA.781-871-4573. more		A+			X	X
The Haunted Theatre	Foxboro, MA
Haunted house. 2009: FS 7-10pm, Kid-friendly, Sun 1-3pm. Orpheum Theatre, 1 School St, Foxboro, MA.508-543-2787 ×4. more		?			X	X	kids
Winslow Farm "Haunting in the Woods	Norton, MA
Haunted walks both for kids and adults. $10. Dark to 9:30pm FS, to 9pm Sun. 37 Eddy Street, Norton, MA.508-285-6451. more		?			X	X

Shakespeare's Disco, Ig Nobels, Re-enactments, Steam engines, WWII Planes, Fluff, Free Museums

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:40:15 -0500

Don't mope because summer is gone! There are still plenty of outdoor harvest festivals coming up and some early bird attractions are beginning the Halloween season!

I'm running a charity walk and need some web design done. Please drop me a note if you or a friend could help, at johnny@weirdbostonevents.org.

Here's your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
The Donkey Show	8/21 - 10/31	Boston Metro
Like the Matrix, no one can tell you what The Donkey Show is. You have to see it for yourself. But I'll try. It's a disco dance party that you can join from the 1970s, but with a mix of modern music, and interspersed with the dance party are scenes from a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". By itself, that would be worth seeing. But then they take it one level higher with special effets, and then one level higher than THAT with a twist ending. I've seen a lot of weird events in my time. This one is a must-see! 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony & Lectures	10/1	Boston Metro
Also a must-see are the phony comic "awards" are given to real scientists doing bizarre and unintuitive research. Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Colonial Faire & Muster of Fyfe & Drums	9/26	Western Mass
I'm always a fan of Revolutionary War re-enactors. This event will have plenty, doing a mock battle, with games, drill instruction, vendors, and fyfe and drum. Rain date is following day. Wayside Inn, Rt 20, Sudbury, MA. more more
Innovations of Yesteryear	9/26	Metro West
Historical inventions are the focus of this event. You get to shoot a Viking-era catapult and see steam engines and these ancient machines called "typewriters". 10am-4pm. Charles River Museum of Industry, Waltham, MA. more
Collings Foundation Living History Weekend	9/28 - 10/7	Metro West
This one's from the World war II era. They'll have tons of aircraft and vehicles, and even a flying demo that seems to include a mock battle! Also some WWII veterans will be speaking. No reservation needed. 137 Barton Road, Stow, MA.978-562-9182. more
What the Fluff? (Marshmallow Fluff festival)	9/26	Boston Metro
Going back to World War I, Marshmallow Fluff, the sandwich spread, was invented in Somerville in 1917. So the city is having an outdoor festival / merchant event to celebrate. 4-7pm. There will be a ton of outdoor vendors and games. 2009: Rain date next day. Union Square Plaza, Somerville, MA.617-623-1392 x119. more
Danehy Park Family Day	9/26	Boston Metro
Nearby Cambridge is having a festival, too. This one's for kids, and those who are kids at heart. They'll have arts & crafts, amusement park rides, but sort of kids-only. And kite and music and a lovely day out in the park that anyone can enjoy. 11am-4pm. Danehy Park, Cambridge, MA.617-349-4301 or 617-349-6229. more
Arlington Town Night / Arlington Town Day	9/25 - 9/26	Boston Metro
Don't leave Arlington out, because they'll have fireworks on Friday (rain date: Saturday) and a big street festival Saturday (rain date: following week). Spy Pond Field, Arlington, MA. more
Tufts Community Day	9/27	Boston Metro
Not much happens in Medford. So, this is your chance to catch something happening! Lots of community booths and kids activities. Tufts University, Medford, MA. more
Jamaica Plain Open Studios	9/26 - 9/27	Boston Metro
Jamaica Plain is taking its turn to have an open studios, where you get to walk around the community visiting local artists at their homes or working studios. It's a good Fall activitiy because you're partly outdoors but partly indoors. Jamaica Plain, MA. more
Lowell Open Studios	9/26 - 9/27	Northern Mass
And I'm sure Lowell has a good open studios as well. Lowell, MA. more
Family Harvest Festival @ Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm	9/26	North Shore
This seems to be the best of the far-from-Boston festivals this weekend. 11am-4pm. They'll have a hay bale maze, wagon rides, an antique tractor, and pie eating and corn shucking contests. 5 Little's Lane, Newbury, MA.978-462-2634. more
Working Waterfront Festival	9/26 - 9/27	Southern Mass
This is your chance to learn why the crazy fisherman in The Perfect Storm did what they did. It looks quite interesting. They'll have demonstrations of net mending, trap making, book readings, dance, music, learn knot tying, etc. New Bedford, MA. more
Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon	9/26	Western Mass
How awesome is this? They'll read all of Emily Dickinson's 1,789 poems in 18 hours, from 7am to 1am. It's the same day as their anniversary celebration, and they'll have a special play and tours. 280 Main Street, Amherst, MA.413-542-8161. more
Harvest Moon Festival @ Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum	9/27	New Hampshire
I've been to this museum and, well, it is small. But very genuine and worth a stopover if you're on your way to or from the White Mountains. Warner, NH.603-456-2600. more
BeanTown Jazz Festival	9/18 - 9/26	Boston Metro
The serious part of the jazz festival is this weekend with a big street festival on 9/26. Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Earthdance	9/26	Western Mass
Earthdance is one of these Internet events where everyone dances with music that's synchronized all over. There isn't a site in Boston, but there is one way out in Stockbridge, where the Norman Rockwell Museum is (it's okay). 7-11pm. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA. more more
Good Vibrations Amateur Erotic Film Festival	9/24 - 9/25	Boston Metro
Last, but also strange, this "toy" store is sponsoring a festival of films made by local amateurs at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with a pre-party in the store itself. They have a reputation for being tasteful, um, so I've heard. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more
Also Fun
New Hampshire, VT, ME Day at Southwick's Zoo	9/26	Southern Mass
This week it's New Hampshire resident's turn to get free admission to New England's largest zoo. 2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA.800-258-9182. more
MFA College Night	9/24	Boston Metro
The MFA is free, if you have a college ID! Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more
Free Museum Day	9/26	Boston Metro
But that's not all! Another 40 museums are free through some kind of promotion. All Around, Nationwide. more
CollegeFest	9/26 - 9/27	Boston Metro
Every year the vendors who target college students hold a merchant event which I have no idea why anyone would want to attend. Except they'll have top music performers, and you'll pick up $100 or so in free samples if you go. Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St, Boston, MA. more
Hub on Wheels	9/26 - 9/27	Boston Metro
I can't believe they're going to shut down Storrow Drive so that bicyclers (who have plenty of bike paths, frankly) can dominate the city. Amazing. Goes to a student charity. Various, Boston, MA. more
Phantom Gourmet Food Festival	9/26	Boston Metro
For this commercial event, you pay $40 and sample food from 80 restaurants. I don't normally even read "tastings" ads but the Phantom Gourmet is a good judge. Must buy tix in advance! Seriously, I showed up one year and was told they were out of tickets. Landsdowne St., Boston, MA. more
New England Fringe Festival	9/24 - 10/4	Boston Metro
Arty but small, this 'festival' is a series of dance, theatre, and storytelling performances. I went once and it was creative but not well attended. Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall, 182 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA.978-667-0550. more
Oak Street Fair - A Fun Day for Over 1000 Children and Families	9/26	Boston Metro
This festival is sponsored by the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, which I thought was worth a mention. Josiah Quincy School Playground and Oak Street, Boston, MA. more
Faire on the Square	9/26	Boston Metro
Much closer to Boston, try this street fair in Watertown. Rain or shine. Free. They'll have an apple pie contest, live music including "doo wop" and a capella, martial arts, and juggling. Saltonstall Park, in and around Town Hall, Watertown, MA. more
Fall Harvest Festival and Perennial Divide	9/26	Boston Metro
My first thought seeing the event was, they have events in Mattapan? And greenery? And I almost didn't list it but I noticed they'll have a bee-keeping demonstration. OoOoo!! 10am-2pm. BNAN's City Natives Nursery, 30 Edgewater Drive, Mattapan, MA. more
Bedford Day	9/26	Metro West
Bedford day is a parade that ends at a street festival, with the usual high-school and 'community' entertainment. Bedford, MA. more
Afternoon Canoe on the Concord River	9/27	Metro West
While you're out there, here's an opportunity for a guided tour where you can learn some history, too. Register in advance. Broadmoor, 280 Eliot Street, Natick, MA.508-655-2296. more
WCPA Poetry Contest Winners' Reading	9/27	Worcester
I'm not sure how much poetry I can sit through without screaming. But if you like this stuff, here's the best of the best, from Worcester. Worcester Public Library, Salem Street, Worcester, MA. more
Davis Farmland Harvest Celebration	9/26 - 9/27	Worcester
And my favorite mid-size amusement park, Davis Farmland, has a harvest festival... but you need a kid along to get in. 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Annual Mass. Outdoor Expo	9/27	Worcester
Also in the Worcester area, stop by and learn to shoot and fish wildlife, archery, rock climbing, and other braggable manly stuff. Sturbridge, MA. more
Franklin County Fiber Twist	9/26	Western Mass
And heading further out west, this is a wool spinning demonstration. There may be some kind of open studios, too. Greenfield High School, Greenfield, MA. more
Apple Squeeze Festival	9/26 - 9/27	Western Mass
Although I could not find a description, with the right attitude, you can turn this street festival into a true celebration. Lenox, MA. more
Out at Plimoth Plantation	9/26	South Shore
Are you gay or interested in gay issues? What does that have to do with 1620 Plimoth Plantation? Sssssh!! Just go. They've have discounted admission, lectures on LGBTA topics, and a traditional-style Thanksgiving dinner. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. more
Bourne Scallop Festival	9/25 - 9/27	Cape Cod
On nearby Cape Cod: a festival based on a single food. I've seen so many ads for this that it's hard to believe the festival is based on scallops. I guess there's a powerful scallop lobby. They claim that 40,000 people will attend, with the usual art and craft vendors, carnival rides and live music, and they don't actually mention scallops amongst their food choices, which is odd. Main Street, Bourne, MA. more
Meet Me Downtown Festival of the Arts in Lynn	9/26	North Shore
Now let's head up the North Shore. It seems like this festival will be small (they claim 3,000 people). They'll have the usual vendors and music, a talent show and unspecified "performances". Central Square, Lynn, MA. more
Annual Fall Festival @ Marblehead	9/26 - 9/27	North Shore
Marblehead is having a 'festival' which sounds very much like a tiny yet heavily merchant-oriented event. Fair enough, but not a real draw. They'll have hay rides, though! Marblehead, MA.781-631-2868. more
Gloucester New Arts Festival	9/26 - 9/27	North Shore
Theatre, improv music jamming and dance, sounds small but very creative. They'll even have "sound sculptures". Gloucester, MA. more
Italian Fest in Haverhill	9/27	Northern Mass
The city has declined to give ANY details but last year they had a troupe of impersonators doing the original "Rat Pack" from movies. (Before they remade Ocean's Eleven with George Clooney.) Live music, tons of vendors as usual, the ubiquitous face painting, and a Miss Italy contest. Haverhill, MA.978-373-5663. more
Harnden Tavern Colonial Event / Harvest Festival	9/27	Northern Mass
While you're there, see the historical re-enactment of "crafts and skills" in Wilmington. 430 Salem Street (Route 62), Wilmington, MA.978-658-5475. more
Rochester Fair	9/18 - 9/27	New Hampshire
Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival here. Rochester Fairgrounds, Exit 13 off Spaulding Turnpike, Rochester, NH. more
Harvest Festival @ Remick Museum & Farm	9/26	New Hampshire
Horse drawn wagon, cider-making, corn maze, and "traditional farm equipment". 58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, NH. more
Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival	9/26 - 9/27	New Hampshire
What do you do with a drunken sailor? This educational festival will tell you! :). Portsmouth, NH. more
Halloween
Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Parade	10/1	North Shore
Halloween starts this week! And I bet this is the cutest thing ever! It's a kids parade, all in costume. Shetland Park to Salem Common, Salem, MA.978-744-0004. more
Recurring
Carousel on Boston Common	9/8 - 10/20	Boston Metro
Visit the carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond. Only $2. Closing whenever weather gets cold. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more
Wings of Freedom Tour	9/16 - 10/2	North Shore
This airplane show is all over: 9/8-10 in Lincoln, RI; 9/10-12 in Hyannis, MA; 9/12-15 in Plymouth, MA; 9/15-17 in Plymouth, NH; 9/17-19 in Manchester, NH; 9/19-9/22 in Beverly, MA; 9/22-24 in New Bedford, MA. This one you actually get to fly in an old bomber aircraft and it's far more expensive. Various Locations. more
Boston Film Festival	9/18 - 9/24	Boston Metro
The Boston Film Festival continues. Kendall Landmark Theatre, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA.617-621-1202. more
Recurring Events
FirstWorksProv	9/24 - 10/15	Rhode Island
This series of performances and gallery exhibitions should in no way be considered a 'festival'. That being said, a number of the concerts look interesting. Various Places, Providence, RI. more more
Celebrate Bisexuality Day (Bis Night Out)	9/24	Boston Metro
As I mentioned last week, here's a social and some films about bisexual people. Stop by Cambridge 1 at 27 Church Street before the films (7:30-9:30) for a casual meet up. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival	9/24 - 9/27	Cape Cod
As I mentioned last week, I guess these people really like Tennessee Williams. Provincetown, MA. more
Eastern States Exposition	9/18 - 10/4	Springfield
It's the 9th largest agricultural fair in the United States, and it shows. Over 1.1M people attend and every kind of hokey "as seen on TV" product is available at the many vendors booths. They'll have an okay traveling carnival, a horse show, actual famous musicians, and a great circus! They'll also have a slightly alarming "New England in Miniature" called Storrowton which is the only part of New England that many tourists will ever see. Rt 90W to exit 4. Rt 5S. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. more
Trails & Sails Weekend	9/18 - 9/27	North Shore
This 'festival' continues, a series of 140 independent events all over the region. Take shuttle at http://ipswichessexexplorer.com/. Various areas, Ipswich, MA. more
Recurring
King Richard's Faire (Ren Faire)	9/5 - 10/25	South Shore
New England's largest renaissance faire continues. 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
Connecticut Renaissance Faire	9/26 - 10/18	Connecticut
I've heard this one is better and bigger than King Richard's Faire, and it's not too far: just 1.5 hrs from Boston. It's just across the border into Connecticut. Raine or shine. Weekends & holidays, 10am-6pm. Woodstock, CT.860-923-0454. more
Adirondack Ballon Festival	9/25 - 9/27	New York
If you really feel like a long drive, there's ballooooooons out theeeerreee. Glen Falls, NY. more

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Halloween Season Begins!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:37:23 -0500

Every week in October, I'll list the haunted houses (fun local attractions to go, not supposedly supernatural haunted houses) that are open. It's the largest such list in New England!

Haunted Houses & other attractions		grade	W Sep 23	R Sep 24	F Sep 25	S Sep 26	S Sep 27	M Sep 28	T Sep 29	W Sep 30
Ghosts and Gravestones Tour (in Boston)	Boston, MA
7 nights a week. 1.5 hour tour. Claim to be grounded, not "paranomal" weirdness. 2009: Tours depart at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 pm. 617-908-8230. more		?	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Fright Kingdom	Nashua, NH
You can pay extra to skip to the front of the line. Kids matinee Sundays. "Haunted Circus" performances. 12 Simon Street, Nashua, NH. more		?			X	X
Factory of Terror	Fall River, MA
Haunted house. Rt 195E to exit 5. Left off exit. Behind Dunkin Donuts. See website coupon. On off nights they have a ghost tour, "GT". 18 Pocasset Street, Fall River, MA. more		B			X	X
Cry Innocent!	Salem, MA
Performance. Loved it. Multiple shows daily. Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA.978-867-4767. more		A				X
Year-Round Salem Attractions	Salem, MA
Haunted houses. Frankenstein's Laboratory, The Haunted Witch Village (Salem Witch Village). more		C+	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Barrett's Haunted Mansion	Abington, MA
Rt 3S to Rt 18S. Great! See website coupon or get one at the restaurant next door. 1235 Bedford St, Abington, MA.781-871-4573. more		A+			X	X

Moonlight corn maze, Wolf night, Animal, Sing-a-long, Scottish Fests, Derby Race

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:02:23 -0500

If you get this by email, apparently Feedburner sent the wrong week. Huh. Well, you can always find the info directly on http://WeirdBostonEvents.org

Here's your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Helicopter rides @ Davis MegaMaze	9/19 - 9/20	Worcester
My favorite amusement park is Davis Farmland out near Worcester. In the Spring and Summer they have a petting zoo, water spray park, and hay rides (but you must have a child along to enter), and in the Fall they have apple picking and the most fantastic corn maze in the world. This year they're adding helicopter rides! 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Moonlight Mazing @ Davis Farmland	9/19	Worcester
And the maze is open late -- your chance to walk the maze in the cool evening. Bring a flashlight. 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Marini Farm Corn Maze	9/12 - 10/25	North Shore
Yet another corn maze opens this week. This one seems to be pretty good! 259 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, MA.978 356-0430. more
Hoot & Howl Night - BBQ @ Wolf Hollow	9/19	North Shore
I've been to this one, and it's highly recommended! They do a wolf presentation every weekend. You hear a lecture about wolves and get to howl along with them. This is their annual Halloween party and BBQ. Call ahead to reserve a space. Rain date one week later. Note, they don't have it on their website but I believe it really is happening. Call them. Take shuttle at http://ipswichessexexplorer.com/. 114 Essex Rd, Ipswich, MA.978 356-0216. more more
Space Ferrets: Mongo Skywalker's Intergalactic Ferret Frolic	9/19	Metro West
I swear I am not making this up! It's a ferret festival! I'm sure the ferrets are very cute. 11am-4pm. Outdoors. Ferret games and contests. Knights of Columbus Hall, 375 Foundry Street, North Easton, MA.781-224-1098. more
Barktoberfest - Pound Hounds Family Fun Day & Dog Walk	9/20	Northern Mass
Animal events continue! This one comes with frisbee dogs and pet trick competitions! Rain or shine. 11am-3pm. Free. 4-H Fairgrounds, 51 S. Chelmsford Rd., Westford, MA.508-435-5029. more
Fall Family Festival @ Green Animals Topiary Garden	9/19	Rhode Island
Also animals, except they're really animal-shaped shrubs, dot the Green Animals Topiary. They'll have live music, scarecrow building, sort of kid stuff but it's a nice garden, I've visited, and a great excuse to stop by nearby Newport and see the mansions and cliff walk. 380 Corey's Lane, Portsmouth, RI.401-847-1000. more
Revels RiverSing (Fall Celebration)	9/20	Boston Metro
Every year this local chorus has a participatory sing-a-long along the Charles River near JFK Street. Half of you are on the Boston side and the other half on the Cambridge side. I've been and it was pretty fantastic. Picnic at Winthrop Park in Harvard Square at 5pm and then at 5:45 a procession to the river. Then sing 6-7:30pm. Participatory. Bring a flashlight and a blanket. Over 2,000 attend. No sign-up needed. Free! Weeks footbridge, Charles River, Cambridge, MA. more
Eastern States Exposition	9/18 - 10/4	Springfield
It's the 9th largest agricultural fair in the United States, and it shows. Over 1.1M people attend and every kind of hokey "as seen on TV" product is available at the many vendors booths. They'll have an okay traveling carnival, a horse show, actual famous musicians, and a great circus! They'll also have a slightly alarming "New England in Miniature" called Storrowton which is the only part of New England that many tourists will ever see. Rt 90W to exit 4. Rt 5S. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. more
National Talk Like A Pirate Day	9/19	Boston Metro
And of course Talk Like a Pirate day is this Saturday. This is more like an excuse to dress up and say "Me Hearties!" than an actual event. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWgxuc45YCY&mode=related&search=. No real location, Everywhere. more
Be Bold, Be Bald!	9/17	Boston Metro
This one's all about making baldness cool. Or cancer. Or fighting cancer. The idea is that you wear a bald cap and raise money. I imagine the psychology is that the bald cap is a 'talking point' that helps people to twist their friends' arms for the obligatory $5 contribution. And they'll have a party to 'cap' it off, ha ha. 6-10pm. Ned Devine's, 1 Faneuil Hall Market Pl, Boston, MA. more
New England Comic Con	9/20	Boston Metro
You can wear your bald cap and nobody will even comment on it at this smallish comic festival, which takes place apparently not across the hotel, but just in the ballroom. 009: 9am-4pm. Boston Radisson Hotel, 200 Stuart St, Boston, MA. more
The New Hampshire Highland Games	9/18 - 9/20	New Hampshire
I haven't been to this one but another Highland Games I've visited makes me a real believer! These people know how to party! It's at a major ski resort so they'll probably have gondola rides and hiking trails. They'll have a fiddle championship, band marching, athletics & dance competitions, tons of music and vendors, and "sheepdog trials". Loon Mountain Ski Resort, Lincoln, NH. more
Fish Box Derby Race	9/20	North Shore
And a derby car race! I've always wanted to see one of these. Kids and home-built high speed vehicles. What could go wrong! Rogers Street under the Gorton's sign., Gloucester, MA.978-283-1932. more
50th Anniversary Rededication & Celebration Gala @ MIMA	9/20 - 9/21	Metro West
MIMA is the national park spread across Concord, or Lexington, or Lincoln -- they're not great on giving addresses and GPS coordinates -- that has the most active re-enactment calendar of the year, outside of full-time attractions like Old Sturbridge Village. They're having a gala on Sunday and a birthday party Monday that isn't well-described. Cary Hall, Lexington, MA.978-318-7822. more
The Gathering of People Pow-Wow	9/19 - 9/20	Boston Metro
Although there are pow-wows (native american festivals) all over New England, this is the only one that's actually in Metro Boston. Rain or shine. Outdoors. Bring a blanket or chair. They'll have singing, dancing, drumming, ethnic food and vendors. The Native American Indian Center of Boston, 105 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA.617-232-0343 x26. more
Third Annual Intertribal Powwow @ Sweetwilliam Farm	9/19 - 9/20	Boston Metro
I also list the major pow-wows somewhat close to Boston and here is yet another. If anything it looks like it may be bigger than the Jamaica Plain one. They'll have drumming, singing, dancing, including a "pumpkin dance" and a "blanket dance", storytelling. And of course it takes place on a farm, with animals, hay rides, and ice cream. Sweetwilliam Farm, 153 North St, Upton, MA.508-529-2000. more
Railfan's Weekend at Conway Scenic Railroad	9/19 - 9/20	New Hampshire
Trains are the gee whiz fantasy that was surpassed by airplanes, which was surpassed by the moon landing, which is now passe. But people love 'em! Come on a scenic train ride and see the vendors and model train enthusiasts at this annual event. Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway, NH.800-232-5251. more
The 10th Annual South Boston Street Festival	9/19	Boston Metro
OK, now on to local festivals! Here's one in South Boston. 11am-4pm. East Broadway, between I and L Streets, Boston, MA. more
South End Open Studios (Boston Open Studios, United South End Artists Open Studios)	9/19 - 9/20	Boston Metro
While you're there, South Boston is said to be the "best" artist community in Boston so this event is very worthwhile. You walk around visiting local artists homes and studios. It's far more personal than simply meeting vendors, and it's nice to walk around getting to know a neighborhood! It's free but of course they hope you'll buy some artwork. I guess they don't have any Web artists, though, judging from their website. 11am-6pm. Info booth at 540/560 Harrison Ave. Start from 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA.617-267-8862. more
Falmouth (MA) Old Time Fiddle Contest	9/19	Cape Cod
This is going to be small, but I can't resist a fiddle contest (or banjo) and small events can be fun because the people who do it are so passionate. 11am-4pm. Have you figured out yet that when there's no photo, I just grab a random one, like, from Missouri? :). Falmouth, MA. more
Tivoli Day at Martha's Vineyard	9/19	Southern Mass
While you're on Cape Cod, check out Tivoli Day. What is that exactly? Is that some kind of pastry, like a cannoli? Well, there's a parade and random stuff like a rock climbing wall and a replica of the pirate ship from Pirates of the Caribbean. They'll have kites and all the summer vendors start getting serious about liquidating their stock as summer ends. It's not much, except a great excuse to visit Martha's Vinyard. Martha's Vinyard, MA. more
Harvard Fall Festival	9/18 - 9/20	Northern Mass
Yet another small town event, with a BBQ cookoff, a carnival that only kids can ride (pout), and a craft fair. However, they'll have fireworks! Hazel's Farm, 150 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA. more
SerbFest	9/19 - 9/20	Boston Metro
This is the only Serbian event I've ever heard of near Boston. Like many of these small ethnic festivals, it's church-related. St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 41 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA.617-876-0707. more
stART on the Street	9/20	Worcester
They say it's the largest arts festival in central Massachusetts. And they could be right. If you're in the area (for example visiting Davis Farmland or the Ecotarium), it looks like fun, with 11am-5pm. Featuring over 240 artists & crafters, 10 live bands, street performers, kids activities and a food court. Park Ave. and Elm St., Worcester, MA. more
UMass Boston outdoor films	9/17	Boston Metro
Let's face it, outdoor movie season is over. But UMass Boston still thinks its summer! Up! At 7pm, The Dark Knight at 9pm. Campus Center Front Circle. No website, but this really is happening, I got the poster. UMass Boston, Boston, MA.
Family Movie Night Under the Stars	9/18	Cape Cod
And Sandwich, MA.... Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich, MA. more
Coma movie w/ Robin Cook lecture	9/21	Boston Metro
Decidedly indoors, this is your chance to meet sci-fi novelist Robin Cook. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more
International Movie Nights in East Somerville	9/19	Boston Metro
And there's another outdoor one in Somerville.... parking lot behind the old fire station, 165 Broadway, Somerville, MA.617.623.3869. more
Urban County Fair	9/19	Boston Metro
Also in Somerville, a county fair, in an urban setting, run by a burlesque performer known for an act called "Trani Wreck". It will either be fantastic or just confusing. Go and find out! Union Square, Somerville, MA. more
Celebrate Bisexuality Day (Bis Night Out)	9/24	Boston Metro
Speaking of alt-friendly fun, here's a social and some films about bisexual people. Stop by Cambridge 1 at 27 Church Street before the films (7:30-9:30) for a casual meet up. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Sin-O-Matic Variant Ball	9/19	Boston Metro
And Boston's largest fetish nightclub is having their annual party, called the "Variant Ball". I really have no idea what that means, and apparently they don't feel that describing the event on their website would help people decide. It's a nightclub. It's a dance party. They have a bar. People will dress in black and leather. It should be good if that's your thing. 1254 Boylston St., Boston, MA. more
MassCann Freedom Rally	9/19	Boston Metro
What happens when a bunch of stoners try to organize a festival? It's fun to find out! Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
Lebowski Fest	9/19 - 9/20	Boston Metro
Ditto, except this one seems to be traveling the country! A tribute to the laid back, lazy lifestyle that everyone who's given up on making a difference can embrace. House of Blues party on 9/19 and Bowling Party on 9/20. Various, Boston, MA. more
Also Fun
MFA Community Day (September)	9/20	Boston Metro
The MFA is free again. (Thanks!). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more
MFA College Night	9/24	Boston Metro
And again, but only if you have a college ID! Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more
College Night at The Museum of Science, Boston	9/21	Boston Metro
Students also get in for free at the Museum of Science. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more
Connecticut Day at Southwick's Zoo	9/19	Southern Mass
This time it's the turn of people with Connecticut IDs to have free admission to the largest zoo in New England. 2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA.800-258-9182. more
BeanTown Jazz Festival	9/18 - 9/26	Boston Metro
Jazz performances continue at various places that, frankly, always have jazz. So, is it a festial or a loose connection of events? Well, they do have a big street festival on 9/26. Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Trails & Sails Weekend	9/18 - 9/27	North Shore
Likewise this 'festival' is a series of 140 independent events all over the region. Take shuttle at http://ipswichessexexplorer.com/. Various areas, Ipswich, MA. more
Caliente: Latin Music Concert	9/19	Boston Metro
And now for a series of smaller festivals. This one's on City Hall Plaza. City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.617-635-3911. more
Local Roots & Music Festival	9/19	Boston Metro
This one's very tiny. 5-8pm. Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Somerville, MA.617-628-9988. more
Provincetown Music Festival	9/19	Cape Cod
Do you really need an excuse to visit Provincetown before the summer ends? Here's one. Provincetown, MA. more
Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival	9/24 - 9/27	Cape Cod
And another! I guess these people really like Tennessee Williams. Provincetown, MA. more
Norwood Day	9/19	Boston Metro
Norwood is having a street festival. Norwood, MA. more
Fall Festival @ Lookout Farm	9/12 - 9/20	Metro West
Train rides, hay pyramid, live animals, fruit picking. 89 Pleasant Street, South Natick, MA.508-651-1539. more
Hillsborough Open Studio Tour	9/19 - 9/20	New Hampshire
Hey! This is an open studio in the country. And it looks much more interesting than you would guess. Hillsborough, NH.603-464-2953. more
Quincy Arts Fest	9/19 - 9/20	South Shore
Less interesting than you would guess, Quincy is having an "arts festival", but it's really a series of paid art workshops (plus demonstrations that are presumably free). Yoga & Wellness Center, 605 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA.617-770-2482. more
Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair	9/19 - 9/20	Western Mass
One step down, this one's pretty concretely commercial, and they fail to mention music or street performers. However they'll have demonstrations of rug hooking, glassblowing, and "lampwork" and free museum admission. Free shuttles take you around. Deerfield, MA. more
Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk	9/13	Boston Metro
It's yet another charity walk. This time for Cancer, a good cause. Maybe they should merge them all together into one humongous walk on just one day of the year. It runs along the Boston Marathon route. Register ahead of time. Various, Boston, MA.800-632-3562. more
CCTV's Annual Backyard BBQ	9/17	Boston Metro
CCTV is only a small TV station, but they need love, money and they can give you BBQ! 675 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617-661-6900. more
Boston Film Festival	9/18 - 9/24	Boston Metro
I'm sure this film festival is worth seeing, but will all these celebrities in their photos actually be there? That would be cool. I guess the idea is that if you give out awards it's prestigious and celebs will show up for it. Kendall Landmark Theatre, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA.617-621-1202. more
Rochester Fair	9/18 - 9/27	New Hampshire
Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival here. Rochester Fairgrounds, Exit 13 off Spaulding Turnpike, Rochester, NH. more
New England Fringe Festival - Boston, MA	9/24 - 10/4	Boston Metro
Also arty, but far smaller, this 'festival' is a series of dance, theatre, and storytelling performances. I went once and it was creative but not well attended. The festival continues October 1-4 in Nashua, NH. Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall, 182 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA.978-667-0550. more
St. Joseph's Festival	9/18 - 9/20	Boston Metro
Yet another Fiesta Shows festival! 790 Salem Street, Malden, MA. more
Fall Forest Festival @ Franklin Park	9/19	Boston Metro
10am-4pm. Meet at the Resting Place / Shattuck Picnic Grove. Franklin Park, Boston, MA. more
Recurring
POP Craft Exhibition	8/8 - 10/22	Boston Metro
I rarely list gallery or museum exhibitions. You guys can find that stuff elsewhere and it's not normally very off-beat. This is a worthy exception. :). SAC Exhibition Gallery, 175 Newbury Street, Boston, MA. more more
Wings of Freedom Tour	9/16 - 10/2	North Shore
This airplane show is all over: 9/8-10 in Lincoln, RI; 9/10-12 in Hyannis, MA; 9/12-15 in Plymouth, MA; 9/15-17 in Plymouth, NH; 9/17-19 in Manchester, NH; 9/19-9/22 in Beverly, MA; 9/22-24 in New Bedford, MA. This one you actually get to fly in an old bomber aircraft and it's far more expensive. Various Locations. more
Carousel on Boston Common	9/8 - 10/20	Boston Metro
Visit the carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond. Only $2. Closing whenever weather gets cold. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more
King Richard's Faire (Ren Faire)	9/5 - 10/25	South Shore
New England's largest renaissance faire continues. 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
British Invasion Weekend	9/18 - 9/20	Vermont
I'm not likely to drive to Vermont for a car show, considering I live right next to the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, MA which is constantly having lawn shows all summer. But hey. It's probably the biggest thing happening in Vermont. I'll list it. Stowe, VT. more
Festival of Nations / Fete des Nations	9/18 - 9/20	Vermont
But is it? This Champlain Quadricentennial event will have fireworks. It also features an Atlatl Championship. Addison, VT. more

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Carnival, Civil War & Drummers, Telescope nights, & Kite, Art, & Music Fests

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:40:46 -0500

Photos are back! See the last few outdoor events of the season at the bottom.

Here's your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Cambridge Carnival Internationale	9/13	Boston Metro
The weird event of the week is Carnival! They say 150,000 will attend. 12-7pm. Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA.617-492-2518. more
The Harvard Square Bookish Ball	9/12	Boston Metro
Also in Cambridge, the Harvard Square Business Association runs numerous events to stimulate commerce, but this is one of the more creative ones. They're going to close off Palmer Street so you can "Dance to bookish beats". Bookish beats? Be afraid. Be very afraid. Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA. more
BioBlitz at the Seacoast Science Center	9/12	New Hampshire
Or try this weird event, which involves finding and counting animals, in this "marathon", presumably for some kind of biodiversity research. 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye, NH.603-436-8043. more
Acton Day	9/12	Metro West
Closer to home, Acton is more creative than its size would suggest! I can't find a description for this year's festival, but last year's included a bungee run, moon bounces, Dance Dance Revolution, and a dunk tank. Then, a Rolling Stones tribute band! NARA Park, Acton, MA.978-264-9608. more
The Long Arm of the Law	9/12	Metro West
While you're out west, there's just no stopping MIMA, the national park. This re-enactment is a 1770's courtroom. Hartwell Tavern - Rt. 2A, Lincoln, MA. more
Drummers Call @ Sturbridge Village	9/12	Southern Mass
I'm going to tell you a secret about Sturbridge Village. JUST GO. It doesn't matter that they're having hundreds of historical re-enactors come and demonstrate military drumming. The village itself is a marvel, with tons of live actors representing 19th century New Englandy goodness. Just go, for Pete's sake. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA.508-347-3362. more
Civil War Re-enactment & Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Sprague Mansion Gala	9/12 - 9/13	Rhode Island
Are you willing to travel for history? It's still Lincoln's 200th birthday! Followed by a gala in Cranston, RI. Lincoln, RI. more more
Civil War Living History Weekend	9/12 - 9/13	Connecticut
Or head even further out to this one in Connecticut. It's not well described, so I would tend to say, do the Rhode Island one. Roseland Cottage, Route 169, Woodstock, CT. more
Revere Beach Kite Festival	9/12	Boston Metro
There is no Boston Kite Festival this year, so check out this instead. They'll have kite making for kids and a moon bounce. I've been to many events like this and it's always fun to see professionals and learn about kite flying, which is not as easy as it looks. 10am-4pm. Revere Beach, Revere, MA. more more
Connors Farm Corn Maze (and Night Maze)	9/12 - 10/31	North Shore
Yet another corn maze opens for the season. See website for coupon. And night maze every Saturday in October plus Halloween. 30 Valley Road (Rt. 35), Danvers, MA.978-777-1245. more
Free Stand-up Paddlesurf Session on the Charles River	9/8	Boston Metro
What is paddlesurfing? Isn't that the part of surfing when you get ready for the big waves? Well, go enjoy the cleanest urban waterway in America. At the Charles River Canoe and Kayak dock. 5:30pm. 1071 Soldier's Field Road, Herter Park, Allston, MA. more
Jamaica Plain World's Fair	9/12	Boston Metro
This street fair is in nearby JP. Music, vendors, the usual. 12-6pm. Hyde/Jackson Square along Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. more
DASH Boston - an Afternoon of Puzzle Hunting!	9/13	Boston Metro
This is yet another urban scavenger hunt. RSVP for start address, Boston, MA. more
USS Constitution Sunset Cruise & Victory Dinner	9/15 - 9/17	Boston Metro
I'm pretty sure the victory dinner really is happening, but there's no information on their website. I went to an event here last year and all I can tell you is that the only thing more excruciating than a high school band performance is a high school band performance that, to honor veterans, is done over-the-top seriously without smiles or a sense of pacing. That being said, I'm sure their historic dinner & cruise is lovely. Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA.617-426-1812. more
Arlington Astronomy Night	9/12	Boston Metro
I'm totally thrilled at this park telescope night. They'll be showing off Jupiter. 7:30pm. Robbins Farm Park, Arlington, MA. more
Public Observatory Night - Boston University	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Of course, there are a bunch of regularly recurring telescope nights. Here are some. The first one's at BU. Weds 8:30-9:30 Apr-Oct, else 7:30-8:30 winter. 725 Comm Ave, 5th floor, Boston, MA.617-353-2630. more
Prudential Skywalk Observatory	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Daily 10-10. And visit Top of the Hub, the fancy restaurant, 52nd floor. 800 Boylston St., 50th floor, Boston, MA.617-859-0648. more
Public Observatory Night - Museum of Science Boston	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Fridays 8:30-10pm. Not if cloudy. Museum of Science, Boston. Science Park, Boston, MA.617-589-0267. more
Public Observatory Night - Brookline	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Tuesday evenings, but NOT June-Aug, weather permitting, call ahead. 20 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-454-2718. more
Dexter School's Clay Center public observatory nights	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Tuesdays 7-9pm. Or 617-454-2718. The "best telescope on the East coast" they claim. 20 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-454-2795. more
Public Observatory Night - Harvard	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Observatory night is the third Thursday of every month. Nontechnical lecture & telescope observing if weather is good. 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA.617-495-7461. more
Public Observatory Night - UMass Boston	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Weekly viewings, weather permitting. Not sure when. 100 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester, MA.617-287-4000. more
Public Observatory Night - North Andover	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Wednesday evenings, weather permitting. Call in advance. Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA.978-542-6452. more
Public Observatory Night - Salem	1/1 - 12/31	Boston Metro
Mondays 7-10pm, weather permitting. Call in advance. Salem, MA.978-542-6452. more
Wellesley -- Whitin Observatory	1/1 - 12/31	Metro West
See website to be added to mailing list. Wellesley, MA. more
Audubon Society - Raptor Weekend	9/12 - 9/13	Newport Area
Not involving any velociraptors, this event features live avian hunters such as eagles and owls. You'll see demonstrations of falconry, and -- no kidding -- "Owl Pellet Dissection". What Mr. Owl's been eating lately? Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI.401-245-7500. more
Hooked on Who @ Brattle Theatre	9/11 - 9/13	Boston Metro
I used to love Doctor Who. But that was before I knew that low budget television was bad. Now I am a man of the world, and I still love the concept of Dr Who.... Brattle Theatre, Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Endless Summer Waterfront Festival @ Nantasket	9/12	South Shore
Summer's not actually endless, so take advantage of these outdoor festivals while they last! Rain date the next day. It's free! They'll have a participatory sandcastle competition and a street chalk art event (Sign up). And they'll have hot dog, pizza eating, and "brain freeze" smoothie eating competitions. Sounds great! 12-6pm. Nantasket Beach, Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA. more
Boston Arts Festival	9/11	Boston Metro
Here's an example of pumping up a music event. The Boston Arts Festival starts with music and short theatre performances on just 2 stages, but adds in glassblowing, steel drums, Blue Man Group, and even poetry reading. Christopher Columbus Park, Boston, MA.617-635-3245. more
Boston Folk Festival	9/12 - 9/13	Boston Metro
The Boston Folk Festival, held on the campus of UMass Boston, always seems to be a Very Big Deal. They only have two stages, though, and Saturday's event is evening-only, a songwriting competition finalist performance. For the first time, 2009 will be all-indoors. UMass Boston, Boston, MA.617-287-6911. more
Irish Connections Festival	9/12 - 9/13	Southern Mass
This Irish festival almost didn't happen this year, I think! I've seen it. They'll have three stages of music and dance, and a few booths. I didn't find Irish Connections particularly innovative or different, unlike the Scottish Festivals I've been to. But then, I did go on a Sunday. Off Rt. 138. Largest on the East Coast. 200 New Boston Drive, Canton, MA.781-821-8291. more
Annual Banjo & Fiddle Contests	9/12	Northern Mass
They try so hard in Lowell to attract tourists with culture things. Come check this out. It's free and you get to see lots of fiddling around. 10am-6pm. Boarding House Park, Lowell, MA.978-970-5028. more
New England Culturefest	9/12	Northern Mass
While you're in Lowell, they're having an entirely separate event with music and dance from all over the world. They'll have lots of art vendors and even a fashion show. 2:30-10pm. Enterprise Bank Parking Lot, 172 Middle Street, Lowell, MA. more
Codman Estate Fine Arts and Crafts Festival	9/12	Metro West
This event goes without description, but last year it seemed pretty good. 36 Codman Road, Lincoln, MA.617-227-3957 X270. more
Clinton Olde Home Day	9/11 - 9/12	Worcester
Also out west, this is the perfect New England home town experience, complete with a demo of crash test dummies, a pie-eating contest, martial arts, live music, arts & crafts, step dancers, you name it. This is VERY close to Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA. Central Park, Church St at Union St, Clinton, MA.978-365-6723. more
Wachusett Mountain Music Festival	9/13	Worcester
One notch further down the classy-ness pole, this one's probably good to skip. The problem is, it's too expensive for an event where the vendors and attendees are sort of "agricultural fair", complete with racing pigs. However, it's a beautiful mountain venue, and so much fun to ride the gondola (which costs extra) or go to a hike in the nearby Wachusett Mountain state park (free). While you're in the area, check out Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA for their petting zoo and corn field maze, http://davisfarmland.com. Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton, MA.978-464-2300. more
Tub Parade	9/12	Western Mass
Not involving bathtubs, this is a parade of horse-drawn carriages and is followed by an ice cream social. Ventfort Hall, Lenox, MA. more
Harwich Cranberry Festival / Beach Day	9/12	Cape Cod
Also on Cape Cod, and another nice surprise is this cranberry festival. It's hard to base an entire festival on cranberries, but they seem to be up for it, including a parade, fireworks, a carnival and a craft show. It's also a beach festival! Harwich, MA. more
Boston Charter Day (Native American Festival)	9/10 - 9/13	Boston Metro
Native american peoples will be giving holding lectures and "giving workshops" on cultural topics at the Boston Public Library. Also, there will be a boat tour of Boston Harbor focusing on native american topics! Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boston, MA. more
Billerica's Yankee Doodle Homecoming Festival	9/11 - 9/13	Northern Mass
This festival goes way past small-towny! They'll have a parade, magic and storytelling, and colonial re-enactors who'll demonstrate a "tar and feathering". Now that's weird! Also dance-a-thon, fireworks,. Billerica Common, 365 Boston Rd, Billerica, MA. more
Somerville Greek and Music Festival	9/11 - 9/13	Boston Metro
Now for a few small little festivals that warm the heart. I love to go out and see people who are enthusiasts, and small settings can bring you closer to their culture. The Somerville Greek and Music Festival has been well-advertised and seems like fun. Church, 29 Central Street, Somerville, MA.617-625-2222. more
Greek Fest	9/11 - 9/13	Boston Metro
Another small Greek festival. Brookline, MA. more
Festival of the Healing Saints Cosmas and Damian	9/12 - 9/13	Boston Metro
It's Cambridge vs. Somerville and Brookline! Italian vs. Greek! Maybe you could sneak into both festivals. This one features the healing saints, so there might be a lot of sick people there, I dunno. Wear a mask and try not to touch anyone. They'll have a small carnival and a parade Sunday. Personally I would pick Somerville this time. Warren St at Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA. more
Annual Seafood Festival @ Hampton Beach	9/11 - 9/13	New Hampshire
I generally look down on single-food events, but this one seems to pack a punch and the location is beautiful. As well as the seafood, they'll have a ton of art vendors, chef demonstrations, two stages for live music, and they'll have fireworks Saturday and a skydiving performance Sunday. Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, NH.603-926-8718. more
Pet Rock Festival	9/13	Worcester
This is a benefit for animals, with a bunch of pet competitions, live music, the ubiquitous kids "face painting and unspecified and probably lame crafts", and a vegetarian food court. The real drawn here is that you can see dogs playing frisbee and baseball! Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA.508-832-8918. more
Larz Anderson Classic European Motorcycle Day@ Larz Anderson Museum	9/13	Boston Metro
The season of lawn car shows won't last forever. Here's the next one. 15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-522-6547. more
Also Fun
Applecrest Antique Tractor Show	9/13	New Hampshire
Tired" of car shows? Try this tractor show. "Tired"... get it? They're also having an apple harvest festival. Rt 88, Hampton Falls, NH.603-926-3721. more
Rhode Island Day at Southwick's Zoo	9/12	Southern Mass
Free admission at the largest zoo in New England continues, this time for those with a Rhode Island ID. 2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA.800-258-9182. more
CCTV's Annual Backyard BBQ	9/17	Boston Metro
CCTV is only a small TV station, but I've been on it three times (and nowhere else, except once on CNN when I dressed as Darth Vader but that's a digression) so I suppose I owe them my thanks and help eating BBQ! 675 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617-661-6900. more
Fall Festival @ Lookout Farm	9/12 - 9/20	Metro West
Train rides, hay pyramid, live animals, fruit picking. 89 Pleasant Street, South Natick, MA.508-651-1539. more
Verrill Farm Barbecue	9/13	Metro West
This one's small but good. It's a farm but it's in classy Concord, and they'll have hayrides. And BBQ!! Unfortunately the ponies and clown are just for kids. 12-4pm. 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA.978-369-4494. more
Music Festival @ Sweetwilliam Farm	9/12	Worcester
1-6:30pm. It's an outdoor concert series at a farm, where presumably they'll have animals and fresh veggies. 153 North St., Upton, MA.508-529-2000. more
Charlestown Art in the Park Festival	9/12	Boston Metro
Although outdoors, it seems this is simply art vendors, a small draw kind of festival. Rain date: the next day. Charlestown, MA. more
Pawtucket Arts Fest	9/13	Rhode Island
More art is for sale in Pawtucket as part of a larger event. 10am-5pm. Slater Memorial Park, 401 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. more
Pawtucket Stone Soup Folk Festival	9/12 - 9/13	Rhode Island
For example, the Stone Soup Folk Festival is a day of folk music, and there are other arty things happening across the city this week. Slater Memorial Park, 401 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.401-724-5200. more
Sandwich Glass Museum Glass Show & Sale	9/12 - 9/13	Cape Cod
If you like glassblowing, this is the place to be. (Perhaps on your way back from the Heritage Museums & Gardens.) I stopped here last year and was given a spontaneous demonstration with no pressure to buy anything. This event will likely be worth a visit. Sandwich Glass Museum, Sandwich, MA.508-888-0251. more
Mattoon Street Arts Festival	9/12 - 9/13	Springfield
There's really not much reason to visit Springfield, except for some decent museums, or if you're on your way to Six Flags New England. But if you're going to go, why not go now and see a local arts festival? Mattoon Street, Springfield, MA.413-736-0629. more
Polish Harvest Festival	9/13	Boston Metro
This one of only two Polish festivals I know of in New England. But the other one has a dunk tank. 655 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston, MA.617-268-4355. more
Blackstone CanalFest	9/12	Worcester
This event will have street performers, music, kayak rides, and a "full size canal replica". Full size?? Do you have any idea how big a canal is?? Harding Street, between Temple and Winter Streets, Worcester, MA. more
Winchester Pickle Festival	9/12	New Hampshire
What a pickle they've gotten themselves into! This will pickle your fancy. Winchester, NH. more
Franklin County Fair	9/10 - 9/13	Western Mass
Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival there. Fairgrounds, Greenfield, MA. more
Hillsborough County Fair	9/11 - 9/13	New Hampshire
Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival there. Hillsborough, Rt 13, New Boston, NH. more
Connecticut Folk Festival & Green Expo	9/11 - 9/13	Connecticut
Yet another music festival.... New Haven, CT. more
American Heart Walk	9/12	Boston Metro
If you like hearts, and don't like heart disease, consider this Yet Another Charity Walk for a really good cause. 1mi, 3mi, or 6mi route along the Charles River. Hatch Shell, Esplanade, 10 Storrow Drive, Boston, MA. more
Harbor to the Bay AIDS Bike Ride	9/12	Boston Metro
Yet another charity. This time, bikes do the walking. Boston to Provincetown. Ride to Provincetown starting from Boston, Boston, MA. more
MSPCA Walk for Animals	9/13	Boston Metro
This time animals do the walking! Also events in Springfield and Hyannis. Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
Recurring Events
Brazilian Independence Day Festival	9/6 - 9/15	Boston Metro
The Brazilian Independence Day Festival continue. They'll have a parade, music, and the usual kids stuff like balloon animals. Artesani Park, Soldier's Field Road, 1234 Charles River, Boston, MA. more
Carousel on Boston Common	9/8 - 10/20	Boston Metro
Also in Boston, visit the carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond. Only $2. Closing whenever weather gets cold. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more
Wings of Freedom Tour	9/16 - 10/2	North Shore
This airplane show is all over: 9/8-10 in Lincoln, RI; 9/10-12 in Hyannis, MA; 9/12-15 in Plymouth, MA; 9/15-17 in Plymouth, NH; 9/17-19 in Manchester, NH; 9/19-9/22 in Beverly, MA; 9/22-24 in New Bedford, MA. This one you actually get to fly in an old bomber aircraft and it's far more expensive. Various Locations. more
Brimfield Antiques Festival (Fall)	9/8 - 9/13	Springfield
The antiques festival continues. They're the largest in New England and I'm sure it's great if you're an antique, um, antique collector. Off of Rt 20. Rt 20 at Rt 19, Brimfield, MA.413-245 3209. more
King Richard's Faire (Ren Faire)	9/5 - 10/25	South Shore
New England's largest renaissance faire continues. 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

Want this weekly? subscribe. My blogs: Weird Boston Events & Wheel Questions, Wheel Answers. Send encouragement & ideas to johnny@weirdbostonevents.org.

Outdoor Theatre, Music, & Events		grade	Tue 9/8	Wed 9/9	Thu 9/10	Fri 9/11	Sat 9/12	Sun 9/13	Mon 9/14	Tue 9/15
Astronomy Night @ Robbins Park	Arlington, MA
Robbins Farm Park, Arlington, MA. more							X
Landmarks Orchestra or Oldies at the Shell	Boston, MA
2009: 7pm. Free. Every Wednesday. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more				X	X
Kendall Square Concert Series	Cambridge, MA
Sponsored by the Kendall Square Corporation. 2009: Tuesdays through Aug 25, & Thursdays through Sep 10, 12-2pm. 300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge, MA.617 577-7354. more					X
Music at the Manse Concert Series	Concord, MA
2009: Concerts 2-4pm. Through the end of September. The Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA. more								X
Lowell Summer Music Series	Lowell, MA
Boarding House Park, Lowell, MA. more							X	X
Southbridge Summer Concert Series	Southbridge, MA
Sue Pelletier 508-765-8800 or 508-248-6687. more							X