Five Reasons to Leave the House this Weekend

Gotye, experimental film, Together Boston, and more.

Posted by Anne Vickman on 3/29/2012 at 8:38AM | No Comments

Saul Levine image

A still from Saul Levine’s “Whole Note.” (Image courtesy of the ICA.)

Film
International Experimental Cinema Exposition
According to Wikipedia, “an experimental film is often characterized by the absence of linear narrative, the use of various abstracting techniques — out-of-focus, painting or scratching on film, rapid editing — the use of asynchronous sound or even the absence of any sound track. The goal is often to place the viewer in a more active and more thoughtful relationship to the film.” Sound up your alley? This Colorado-based, non-profit expo seeks to call out experimental artistry in film. Founded by Christopher May (supported by Stan Brakhage), screenings will include a shorts from New England filmmakers Jonathan Schwartz and Saul Levine.
$11–$13, 4 p.m., Sunday, April 1, Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-478-3103, icaboston.org.

Music
Gotye
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Australia’s Belgian-born Gotye has been burning up the interwebs with his single, “Somebody That I Used to Know” (see the vid below, then check out this sweet cover version) from last year’s album, Making Mirrors. His voice smacks of Sting and Peter Gabriel (have a listen and tell me you don’t agree), while his style is all over the map — running the gamut from quiet ballads to synth-y, atmospheric works to neo-soul-infused numbers.
$25–$35, Thursday, March 29, 8 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseblues.com.

Wellness
Violet Spa Spring Wellness Event
This Brookline spa is kicking off a week of discounted products and services with a free seminar on health and wellness. Meredith Mills, health counselor and founder of trunourish.com will speak about the connection between food, mood, and health, while Katherine Bicer, the founder of Om in the Office, will talk about ways to include yoga, meditation, and relaxation into your everyday life. Violet’s Organic Flax Seed Facial, Green Tea Purifying Facial, and Lemon Body Glow Treatment will all be $30 off, while skin care products will be on sale, too.
Free, Sunday, April 1, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Violet Skin Boutique, 1362 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-264-7546, violetskinboutique.com.

Tech
Together Boston
So technically this is next week, but forgive me the technicality in exchange for advance notice of Together, Boston’s week long, electro-fabulous amalgamation of all things music, art, technology, and production. This year has an even bigger roster of acts, including RJD2 and Dubfire, and events like an installation competition, a demonstration of Sonotron — a 13-foot spherical, steel sculpture with speakers and amplifiers — and oodles of free tech seminars.
Monday, April 2 – Sunday, April 8, check the schedule here, togetherboston.com.

Beer
Five Napkin Burger Beer Dinner
If you’re not familiar with Stone Brewing, the San Diego-based brewery known for its hoppy brews, then a four-course dinner pairing with their Levitation Ale, IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Smoked Porter is a great place to start. The menu includes hors d’oeuvres like pork taquitos and spicy salmon wontons followed by gruyere mac ‘n cheese, a burger (or a veggie burger), and cheesecake with strawberry glaze.
$45, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, Five Napkin Burger, 105 Huntington Ave., Boston, 617-375-2277, buy tickets here.

Arts Roundup: Diane Paulus, The Guitar Circle, The Chemical Brothers

The A.R.T. leader gets tapped for a major award, Robert Fripp acolytes rock Cambridge, and a rock concert film to blow your mind.

Posted by Matthew Reed Baker on 3/28/2012 at 10:15AM | No Comments

The Big News: Diane Paulus’s Award

As if being ranked #23 in Boston magazine’s 50 Most Powerful list weren’t grand enough, the American Repertory Theater‘s artistic director, Diane Paulus, has just been named the recipient of the Drama League’s 2012 Founders Award for Excellence in Directing. She’ll receive it on May 18 at the Marriott Marquis in New York. The news came on Friday, but in case you hadn’t heard, this is a big deal. Since 1916, the Drama League has been one of the most important associations in theater, its award ceremonies are the oldest for theater in the country, and it’s giving its most important one to Paulus. How much thought has to go into the winner and how he or she has transformed American theater? Well, try this on: You can only win this thing once in your life. She joins previous winners like legendary film director Mike Nichols, who made his name introducing Neil Simon plays on Broadway; George C. Wolfe, who premiered Jelly’s Last Jam, Angels in America, and Topdog/Underdog; and Susan Stroman, who launched the Broadway juggernaut version of Mel Brooks’s The Producers. No small company here, and Paulus wins for her huge Central Park revival of Hair, but also for Porgy and Bess and all her other innovative work she’s doing right here in Cambridge. Congratulations, and it’s just further proof she’s raising Boston’s bar as a national theater city. Continue reading “Arts Roundup: Diane Paulus, The Guitar Circle, The Chemical Brothers” »

The Independent Film Festival of Boston Announces Its Schedule

In its 10th year, IFFBoston pulls in big indie names and some intriguing documentaries.

Posted by Matthew Reed Baker on 3/23/2012 at 8:36AM | No Comments

Julie Delpy and Chris RockChris Rock and Julie Deply in 2 Days in New York. (Image courtesy of the Independent Film Festival.)

Over the past decade, the Independent Film Festival of Boston has not-so-quietly crept up to being our city’s top celluloid extravaganza. Sure, there’s the international film festival, the underground film festival, the Jewish and Palestinian film festivals, and of course the Boston Film Festival. All are worthy and wonderful, adding spice to our low-key film scene. But Hollywood is a fickle beast, which makes IFFBoston wise for never seeking out the big stars, instead reeling in the midrange and those with hipster cachet, slowly building a rep for cinema cool. And yesterday, when IFFBoston announced the schedule for its 10th season, the lineup of 130 screenings doesn’t disappoint. And that’s not just the films, but those in attendance as well.

As usual, my burg of Somerville is the hub, not only with screenings at the Somerville Theatre but parties at Davis Square locales. Other venues include the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline and the Brattle in Harvard Square. It runs from April 25 to May 2.

Let’s take a look, shall we? Continue reading “The Independent Film Festival of Boston Announces Its Schedule” »

Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

A Zombie 5K, Irish film, soul music, and more.

Posted by Anne Vickman on 3/22/2012 at 8:32AM | No Comments

The 5K Run for Your Lives obstacle race. (Photo by Happy Go Lucky.)

Zombies
Run For Your Lives

Best. Idea. Ever. This 5K obstacle race in Amesbury isn’t until May 5 and 6, but registration ends in a mere three weeks on April 13, so consider this your official heads up. All you need to know is that race participants — wearing three flags on a belt, just like ye olde days of flag football — will have to navigate a series of obstacles and make strategy calls on the quickest way to the finish line. The best part? All runners will be chased mercilessly by zombies. Hungry for brains. And those flags. Oh, and guess what happens if all flags are to the living dead? Zombie conversion, duh. Not a runner? No sweat — spectators are welcome.
$87 (runner), $32 (spectator), Amesbury Sports Park, 12 South Hunt Rd., Amesbury, runforyourlives.com. Continue reading “Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend” »

Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

African a capella, a garden show, an arts fair, and more.

Posted by Anne Vickman on 3/16/2012 at 8:53AM | No Comments

Ronald Wilson art(Loonpeak, Iceland. Photo by Ronald Wilson; image courtesy of Paradise City Arts Festival.)

Arts
Paradise City Arts Festival
If arts and crafts are up your alley, don’t miss this contemporary craft and fine art fair — 175 artists from 22 states will sell fine furniture, lighting, floor coverings, sculpture, jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics, and more, and the themed “Wild Things” exhibit called “Wild Things” will feature all things related to the kingdom Animalia.
$8-$12, March 16 through 18, Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Route 20W, Marlborough, paradisecityarts.com. Continue reading “Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend” »

How to Make the Most of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Your guide to making the most of the day — green beer optional.

Posted by boston daily on 3/15/2012 at 8:10AM | No Comments

Click to enlarge the St. Patty’s parade map. (Illustration by Mikey Burton.)

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, but that doesn’t mean we all want the same thing out of the famous South Boston parade, which rolls this year on March 18 with an expected crowd of 600,000. Here’s your guide to making the most of the day — green beer optional. — Renata Brito and Madeleine J. Coleman

Continue reading “How to Make the Most of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade” »

Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Final Fantasy in symphony, word nerd trivia, new brews, and more.

Posted by Anne Vickman on 3/8/2012 at 8:00AM | No Comments

Ballet HispanicoBallet Hispanico (Photo by Eduardo Patino)

 

Dance
Ballet Hispanico
Premiering Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Mad’moiselle — a work that delves into gender roles and identity in Latin American cultures — Ballet Hispanico explores the facets of Latino culture through dance. Additionally, Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro has created Asuka, a tribute to Cuban singer Celia Cruz, while Ronald K. Brown looks at the ways diaspora in West African, Indian, and Spanish cultures has both separated and brought people together in Espiritu Vivo.
$43-68, Friday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 10, 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 11, 3 p.m.; Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., Boston, 617-482-6661,celebrityseries.org. Continue reading “Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend” »

Chuck Berry, Leonard Cohen Honored at JFK Library

A backstage report as the rock 'n' roll idols come to Boston.

Posted by Bill Janovitz on 3/1/2012 at 9:42AM | No Comments

From left to right: Tom Perrotta; Salman Rushdie; Elvis Costello; Peter Wolf; Shawn Colvin; Paul Simon; Leonard Cohen; Chuck Berry; Keith Richards; Bill Flanagan. (Photo by Rick Friedman/Kennedy Library Foundation)

On Sunday, in one fell swoop, I met a significant segment of my record collection: Keith Richards, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Chuck Berry, Elvis Costello, and others. The “others” are people like Salman Rushdie, Caroline Kennedy, Al Kooper, Shawn Colvin, and Peter Wolf. I mean, we get to see Wolf all the time around here. But while it is clear that he is a rock ‘n’ roll legend, when he is the low man on the totem pole, you know you’re in rarefied air. Can you imagine thinking, geeze, Paul Simon, would you get out of my way so I could go talk to Keith Richards? Continue reading “Chuck Berry, Leonard Cohen Honored at JFK Library” »

Five Reasons to Leave the House this Weekend

Circus tricks, a beer fest, local art, and more.

Posted by Anne Vickman on 3/1/2012 at 9:26AM | No Comments

In photo: Circa's "Circa" Circa’s “Circa” troupe closes at the Paramount this weekend. (Photo by Justin Nicholas)

Theater
Circa
Looking for an evening rife with stupid awesome human feats of flexibility and strength? Then don’t miss Circa, a Brisbane, Australia-based troupe that’s performing at the Paramount through the rest of the week. Think: seven acrobats performing jaw-dropping feats using ropes, trapeze, and pure muscle. It’s likely to be the most breathtaking show you’ll see this season. And if you’re finding yourself extra inspired to scratch an aerial itch after the show, consider a class at Somerville’s Aircraft Aerial Arts or Boston’s Esh Aerial Arts.
$50-$60, February 29 through March 4, Paramount Theatre, 560 Washington St., Boston, 617-482-6661, celebrityseries.org. Continue reading “Five Reasons to Leave the House this Weekend” »

The March Culture Curve

This month's guide to Boston arts events, from the rowdy to the refined.

Posted by Matthew Reed Baker on 3/1/2012 at 7:01AM | No Comments


Photos from iStockphoto.

  • The Maine Calamity Janes roller-derby team won’t know what hit them when the Boston Derby Dames open their season at Wilmington’s Aleppo Shriners Auditorium. 3/24
  • Fans of lightning riffs and sleazy swagger rejoice: Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth will be “Runnin’ with the Devil” at the TD Garden for Van Halen’s reunion tour. 3/11
  • While the Iditarod dogsled race tests competitors’ mettle, Boston’s Urban Iditarod harnesses humans to a shopping cart and tests their capacity for silliness. 3/3
  • Grandma the Clown may be on his farewell tour with the Big Apple Circus, but with his oversize handbag and audience hijinks, he can still turn that frown upside down. 3/27–5/13
  • In The Full Monty, the Boston Conservatory rocks out with its … dear me, this time it’s literal. 3/1–3/4
  • In Rogues and Redeemers, Gerard O’Neill (coauthor of Black Mass)chronicles our long line of bare-knuckled Irish mayors, from Honey Fitz and the Rascal King to Kevin White and Ray Flynn. out 3/13, crown, $26.
  • Beautify your life with jewelry and art at the BCA’s AD 20/21 contemporary-arts show and Boston Print Fair. For an eager aesthete, it’s one-stop shopping. 3/15–3/18
  • In 1980, Rhode Island’s Aaron Fricke sued to bring his boyfriend to the prom. In 2012, the Boston Children’s Theatre tells his story at the world premiere of the play Reflections of a Rock Lobster. 3/3–3/11
  • Three hundred musicians and singers from the New England Philharmonic perform Benjamin Britten’s colossal War Requiem at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. This is pacifism at its most grandiose. 3/3
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »