Boston culture
November 21st, 2007 by susan j
Photo courtesy of Plimoth Plantation
Have you ever wondered what life was like before Blackberries and iPods? If so, here’s your chance to step back in time and experience daily life in seventeenth century New England. Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum that recreates a 1627 English village in Plymouth Colony.
Amidst the timber-framed houses and fragrant gardens, you can chat with costumed reenactors and watch skilled crafters as they create historically authentic furniture, baskets, clothing, and more. You can also visit Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the ship that brought many of the first European settlers to the “New World.” In honor of Thanksgiving, the Plantation stays open all day with to commemorate the first harvest celebration of 1621.
Here are some facts about Thanksgiving, courtesy of our partners at Plimoth Plantation: (more…)
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November 15th, 2007 by jamie a
Thursday, November 15 - Sunday, November 18
Words and Music, Cascando, and …but the clouds… by Samuel Beckett will be performed as at the New College Theater at Harvard University. This is the Boston premiere of the original score written by Martin Perlman of the Boston Baroque.
Saturday, November 17 (12 - 5 pm)
Head on over to Somerville for the event. Featuring art from both the Brickbottom Artists Association and the Joy Street Artists, there’s everything from sculpture and mixed media to quilts and photography.
Saturday, November 17 (1 pm)
The returns to Boston with an all new show! There’s 30 cats, 1 dog, and 5 clowns performing non-stop acrobatic stunts that will have you amazed and laughing in your seats. It’s a perfect event for the whole family.
Saturday, November 17 (8 pm)
Prepare to be dazzled at the Orpheum Theatre this weekend when the come to town. Comprised of 20 Kung Fu masters, they will take your breath away with this theatrical performance of their craft.
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November 8th, 2007 by jamie a
Friday, November 9 - Sunday, November 11
See the best in modern Irish cinema at the held at the Harvard Film Archive. In its 9th year, this festival seeks to provide the best in features, documentaries, and shorts.
Saturday, November 10 (4 and 8 pm)
Boston University’s Hip-Hop team, , presents Elements VIII this weekend. For the last 7 years, the troupe has not only put on many a sold-out show, but they also promote hip-hop culture in Boston by sending their proceeds to .
November 1- 11
is being showcased by the MFA, the ICA, and the Coolidge Corner Theater. Be sure to check out the for listings this week and weekend.
Saturday, November 9 (10 am-1 pm)
Check out , a special guided tour of William Wegman’s new exhibit, “It’s a Dog’s Life.” There will be snacks and lemonade, activities for kids, and photos with the dogs all with the free admission!
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November 6th, 2007 by susan j
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Often considered the most Irish city in America, Boston features a bounty of Irish pubs that would make even a native Dubliner feel at home. In fact, some longtime Irish Bostonians call the city “the next parish over from Galway Bay.” If you’re visiting Boston on bank holiday or just want to soak up the local Irish flavor, then head on over to these pubs:
- Between Government Center and the North End (Boston’s version of Little Italy), Union Street offers a taste of Irish tradition with cobblestones and good ol’ Irish pubs. Paddy O’s is the perfect spot for starting a pub crawl. Handcrafted beers and a laidback atmosphere welcome visitors from all over the world. Paddy O’s also serves Irish specialties like seafood and shepherd pie.
- Just a few doors away from Paddy O’s, Hennessy’s of Boston was voted “Best Irish Bar in Boston” five times by The Improper Bostonian. This multi-level bar hosts live music Thursday-Saturday, so expect a lively crowd (and a small cover charge) on weekends.
- Also near Hennessy’s and Paddy O’s, the Green Dragon Tavern was voted Best Irish Pub of 2007 by Boston Magazine. Legend has it that this historic pub was where colonists overheard British soldiers discussing their plans to invade Lexington and Concord. The tavern also hosts live music nightly.
- The nearby Mr. Dooley’s Boston Tavern features friendly service and an eclectic menu. Dooley’s hosts American or Irish bands and musicians Friday though Saturday, and Irish ex-pats tend to congregate there on Sundays.
- The Black Rose, also in the area, has been listed among America’s top ten Irish establishments. Rumor has that U2 played at The Black Rose before becoming an international rock sensation. Other notable musical performers include John Denver and members of The Chieftains. In addition to live music nightly, The Black Rose serves up traditional homemade Irish favorites including fish and chips, native lobster, and corned beef.
What’s your favorite Irish pub in Boston? Leave a comment and let us know!
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November 1st, 2007 by jamie a
Thursday, November 1 (6:30 - 8:30 pm)
Celebrating their five year anniversary with a grand retrospective, invites the public to the opening!
Friday, November 2 (7:30 pm)
Join the Boston Lyric Opera for the opening night of Puccini’s . The classic romantic tale is brought to life at Citi Schubert in the heart of Boston’s theater district.
Friday, November 2 (8:00 pm)
, author of Me Talk Pretty One Day and featured reader on NPR’s This American Life, will be reading at Boston’s Symphony Hall this Friday. Hailed by The Washington Post as “…one of America’s most prickly, and most delicious, young comic talents,” this is a show not to be missed.
September 12 - November 11
Broadway’s smash hit is playing at the Opera House until November 11th. If you haven’t had a chance to see the story of “what happened before Dorothy showed up,” here’s your chance to see the stage adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel.
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October 29th, 2007 by jamie a
Jamie meets Spike, mascot of Spike’s Hot Dogs!
As a new resident of Cambridge/Somerville, I love exploring the neighborhood in my spare time. This time of the year is perfect for taking long walks, making time for tea, and enjoying all the autumnal scents and stunning foliage. I simply love living in a place where there’s always something to do and it’s no more than a walk away.
I hope you enjoy these highlights of my life on the Red line!
Proclaimed a “fiercely independent” bookstore, Porter Square Books is a great local spot with tons of personality. The shop is small, but brimming with an eclectic selection, including wonderful “staff picks” sections and impressively obscure literary magazines. Grab a spot of tea and a vietnamese spring roll and cozy into a seat for one of their weekly readings. The upcoming reading schedule can be found on the events calendar.
Ready for a hot dog like you’ve never eaten before? Head to Davis Square for a taste of Spike’s award winning dogs. From the “junkyard dog” (tomato, pickle, scallions, pepperoncini & Spike’s mustard) to the “samurai dog” (Teriyaki sauce & sauteed onions), everyone’s sure to find a dog to suit their fancy. I greatly appreciate Spike’s veggie dogs, which are some of the best veggie dogs I’ve ever tasted!
Right around the corner from Spike’s lies . You’d be hard-pressed to find a store as cute and as quirky as this one. Find the perfect gift for your unique friend or for yourself at this haven of hipster crafts. Supporting independent artists and crafters everywhere, Magpie deserves heaps of business and applause. From screen-printed tees to hand-painted birdhouses and brooches made from recycled bottle caps, this is definitely one of my favorite stores.
Up for catching a movie or a live show? The Somerville Theater is a fantastic venue right in the heart of Davis Square. A theater where both tea and beer are allowed to be savored while enjoying the film or performance is certainly one I want to frequent. Upcoming shows include fiddlers, comedians, indie bands, and first-run films.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Boston Harbor Cruise. Since I’m still a bit of a tourist to the city, I like to get to know more about different areas in Boston every chance I get. This cruise, which leaves from Long Wharf, was perfect for experiencing a part of the city I’d never seen before from the point of view of the water. Make sure and sit on the top deck and bring your camera for maximum boat-riding pleasure, but bring a coat and scarf for the journey, as this cruise gets chillier every day.
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October 26th, 2007 by jamie a
Brattle Book Shop
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To spend a day immersed in libraries and bookstores, check out these Boston favorites!
John F. Kennedy Library: Dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy “and to all those who through the art of politics seek a new and better world,” this is indeed a special stop in the city of Boston. On the waterfront at Columbia Point, this library showcases both Kennedy’s time in office as well as life in America in the early 1960s.
Brattle Book Shop: Established in 1825, this bookshop in the heart of downtown crossing is one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian bookstores. With two floors of used books, a third floor of collectibles and rarities, and outdoor sale tables set up in the neighboring alley, it is perfect for the big-spender or the bargain hunter! The owner, Ken Gloss, is also a regular appraiser on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow.
The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair on November 16-18 hosts over 200 booths stocked with treasures from around the world. There are also plenty of workshops and lectures to attend, as well as literature events held all over the city during that time. (more…)
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October 25th, 2007 by jamie a
Friday, October 26 (6- 9:30 pm)
The returns to Boston, sponsored by Beer Advocate magazine, with beers from Allagash to Ommegang! Also featuring guest speakers and snacks, this should be a fabulous evening just right for October.
Saturday, October 27 (11:00 am - 5 pm)
At the Massachusetts College of Art, are two exhibitions that explore jewelry and personal objects. Explore the ideas surrounding adorning the body and jewelry as art installation.
Saturday, October 27 - Sunday, October 28 (8 am - 5 pm)
If you’re interested in the exciting world of blogging, podcasting, SecondLife, Twitter, and any other new media, be sure to check out ! This free conference is open to anyone, non-techies too, and provides how-to-sessions and great networking opportunites.
Sunday, October 28 (12:00 pm)
If you’re a dog lover who’s also got a soft spot for Halloween, then be sure to make an appearance at the Divas Unleased Annual Halloween Pet Parade. Don your daschund with a Batman cape and let him strut his stuff in the parade!
Also of note, the Boston Children’s Museum’s grand re-opening is this Saturday, October 27th!
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October 23rd, 2007 by jamie a
The House of Seven Gables
Photo uploaded by gailf548
If you’re up for a little jaunt, these locations are just outside of Boston!
Concord Museum: Established in 1886, this museum is not only home to the famed lantern of Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride,” but also houses the world’s largest collection of Thoreau’s possessions and the contents of Emerson’s study. Showcasing Walden Pond memorabilia and decorative arts from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the Concord Museum is nationally recognized for its sizable collections. “Building Thoreau’s Boat,” a recreation of the boat he and his brother built for a river trip in 1839, is on display until January 6, 2008.
House of Seven Gables: As Hawthorne wrote in his first chapter of The House of Seven Gables, “Half-way down a by-street of one of our New England towns, stands a rusty wooden house, with seven acutely peaked gables, facing towards various points of the compass, and a huge, clustered chimney in the midst…” Built in 1668 and also known as the Turner-Ingersoll mansion, this is the house that inspired the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel of the same name. As New England’s oldest wooden mansion, it also includes some of the country’s oldest Georgian interiors and secret staircases leading up to the mysteries of the gables. (more…)
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October 18th, 2007 by jamie a
Thursday, October 18 (5-9 pm)
For the ultimate in art, music, and atmosphere, experience the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in a new light with Gardner After Hours. This Thursday features live music in the stunning courtyard by Russ Gershon’s Intimate Ensemble. The cafe is open for business with a new small plates menu and there will also be talks highlighting the importance of music in the museum.
Saturday, October 20 (4 pm- dusk)
Learn some local history at the 3rd annual Ghosts of Somerville play in Milk Row Cemetery, which is usually closed to the public. Dress in warmly in costume and enjoy some hot cider and goodies. Presented by the Somerville Museum and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, this is a great way to brush up on your local history–Halloween style!
Saturday, October 20 - Sunday, October 21 (noon- 3 pm)
While the weather’s still mild, pack up the kids and head out to Gore Place in Watertown for an Explore all that nature has to offer on this 45-acre estate which is also a local historical landmark. For only $5.00, you can purchase an “activity pack” that includes binoculars, a magnifying glass, and fun activities. Reservations are recommended.
Sunday, October 21 (10 am- 5 pm)
Attention superhero geeks! This Sunday, the 2nd annual Boston Comic Con takes over the Back Bay Events Center. This year’s festival is full of more artists, comic books, special guests, and memorabilia than ever before. The featured special guest is Jim Steranko, inductee in the Comic Book Hall of Fame, creator of Marvel Comics’ 1960s classic Nick Fury, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
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