Boston Area – Page 9 – Salem Happenings

A Rainy 4th of July

The word “independence” is a fascinating term because it has so many different uses. In fact, if you’re talking about a child’s independence, you may be talking about the increasing amount of freedom that the child has as he or she enters the world, grows in it, and takes a meaningful (or not-so-meaningful) place in our society. If you’re talking about a contractor or a company that is considered to be independent, you may be talking about the ability of that individual or company to work without the influence or assistance of a larger company or chain. If you’re talking about a political stance, you may be talking about a group of individuals that ultimately believe all of our politicians are insane and that there’s no reason to agree with any of them. However, regardless of how you’ve used the term in the past, there is one thing that always remains the same about the word “independence” and that is the fact that it means freedom. And freedom is what today is really about.

Unfortunately, no matter how free we are, there is one entity that is very hard for us to maintain our independence from and that entity is Mother Nature. As a result, if your 4th of July festivities have been rained out or at least dampened by the oncoming hurricane, here is a list of some of the places in the Boston area that have already scheduled or rescheduled their holiday celebrations for later on this weekend.

All times are approximate and dates/times are (not surprisingly) subject to change.

Acton: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Amesbury: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Attleboro: 7/5/2014 as soon as the sun sets.
Auburn: 7/6/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Ayer: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Bellingham: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Bridgewater: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Brockton: 7/5/2014 at 10:45 P.M.
Canton: 7/6/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Danvers: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Eastham: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Edgartown: 7/5/2014 as soon as the sun sets.
Fall River: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Falmouth: 7/6/2014 as soon as the sun sets.
Fitchburg: 7/5/2014 at 10:00 P.M.
Freetown: 7/6/2014 at 8:00 P.M.
Greenfield: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Lawrence: 7/5/2014 at 6:00 P.M. (Fireworks at approximately 9:30 P.M.)
Lincoln: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Lowell: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Lynn: 7/6/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Manchester by the Sea: 7/6/2014 at 9:15 P.M.
Marblehead: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Marion: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Middleborough: 7/5/2014 at 10:00 P.M.
Milford: 7/5/2014 at 10:00 P.M.
Millbury: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Nahant: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Nantucket: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
North Reading: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Northbridge: 7/6/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Oakham: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Onset: 7/5/2014 at 9:20 P.M.
Orleans: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Pepperall: 7/5/2014 as soon as the sun sets.
Plymouth: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Provincetown: 7/5/2014 as soon as the sun sets.
Rutland: 7/6/2014 at 9:20 P.M.
Salem: 7/6/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Salisbury: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Seekonk: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Spencer: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Stoughton: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Sturbridge Village: 7/5/2014 as soon as the sun sets.
Swampscott: 7/6/2014 as soon as the sun sets.
Walpole: 7/6/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Waltham: 7/6/2014 at 9:30 P.M.
Wareham: 7/5/2014 at 9:20 P.M.
Webster: 7/6/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Westfield: 7/5/2014 at 9:15 P.M.
Wilmington: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Winthrop: 7/5/2014 at 9:00 P.M.
Worcester: 7/5/2014 at 9:30 P.M.

Please Note: This list only includes towns and cities that officially scheduled or rescheduled their 4th of July festivities (specifically their fireworks) to the 5th or 6th prior to the time of this posting (approximately 10:00 A.M. EST on 7/4/2014.) Other cities may reschedule their fireworks at a later time or may have already rescheduled their celebrations to a future date beyond this weekend.

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Great Musicians Through the Ages

If you read my post from last week, you may have noticed that there are a fair number of musical events around this time of year. In fact, this is really the concert season, so if you’re looking for a way to listen to some great music without giving all of your money to the online ticket sellers of the world, then you’ve come to the right place. The only thing to remember is that with no shortage of concerts comes no shortage of choices, so if you’re one of those people that has an awful time making up your mind, it may be a little tough to decide on what to do this weekend. However, there are a few concerts that stand out from the rest, not only for the skill of the musicians involved but also for the limited impact they will have on your wallet.

As a result, if you’re a big fan of guitars and you would love to see the next generation of guitarists before they become the next big thing, you may want to check out Boston GuitarFest. Boston GuitarFest, which is hosted by the New England Conservatory and Northeastern University, is a series of workshops, competitions, and most importantly, concerts that are designed for young guitarists. These concerts not only feature some of the best emerging guitarists (both with acoustic and electric guitars) currently out there but also feature some of the best dancers, drummers, flutists, pianists, violinists, and other performers that you will ever see. Best of all, the price for most of the concerts is pretty reasonable, as each concert will typically fall into the $10 to $40 range. For more information on Boston Guitarfest, which runs until this Sunday (June 29, 2014), please visit the Official Boston GuitarFest website.

If, on the other hand, you’re not really into guitars or you like your musicians to have a little more experience, you may want to check out Pops on the Lawn. Pops on the Lawn is a concert at Sennott Park in Cambridge that will feature the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra. This concert will allow you and your family to listen to classical music, marches, movie themes, patriotic songs, show tunes, and other similar music designed for the whole family. However, the best part of this particular concert is the fact that it is absolutely free. For more information on Pops on the Lawn, please visit the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra’s Event page.

Finally, if you’re one of those people that thinks of a medieval ballad every time someone mentions classical music, you may want to head over to the Waltham Farmer’s Market this weekend. This is because the Waltham Farmer’s Market is hosting a performance by the Solstice Sackbuts from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. tomorrow (June 28, 2014.) The Solstice Sackbuts are a trio of musicians that specialize in classical, medieval, and renaissance music with a little pop and jazz thrown in as well. These musicians, which have appeared at a number of different venues including King Richard’s Faire, will dazzle you with their musical talents while teaching you about composers throughout the ages. For more information on the Solstice Sackbuts Concert at the Waltham Farmer’s Market, which is absolutely free (unless you end up buying something at the market), please visit the Solstice Sackbuts website or the Waltham Farmer’s Market Concert page.

Photo credit: Yuri Samoilov Photo / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Rock Out This Summer

One of the great things about summer is that there’s never a shortage of things to do. In fact, it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a BBQ, a concert, an entire music festival, or something completely different, there’s always something going on. The only problem is that with so many events, it can be tough to figure out which events are actually worth spending your time on and which events would be better left to somebody else. As a result, if you’re looking for a good way to spend your time without wasting it on something you hate, you may want to know a little more about some of the big concerts and festivals going on this weekend.

First, if you’re a fan of classical, folk, jazz, and/or other similar music from around the world, there is a program at the Boston Public Library that you may be interested in. This program, which is appropriately entitled “Concerts in the Courtyard”, is a series of hour-long concerts that run from 12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. on Fridays and 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesdays until the end of August. These concerts will feature performers that specialize in music from around the world, including music from countries such as Brazil, Columbia, Egypt, Ireland, Scotland, Venezuela, and New Jersey (I know, I know. New Jersey isn’t technically another country, but if you’ve ever been on the New Jersey Turnpike, you know that it can feel like you’re spending days traveling to a far away land.) For more information on the Boston Public Library’s Concerts in the Courtyard series, including more information on the performers, please visit the Boston Public Library’s Programs and Events page.

Secondly, if you’re more of a fan of rock and roll than you are of “worldly” music or you’re just in desperate need of a huge BBQ, you might want to check out City Hall Plaza in Boston this weekend. This is because City Hall Plaza is hosting the Phantom Gourmet BBQ & Music Festival from 12:00 P.M. today (June 20, 2014) to approximately 6:45 P.M. Sunday (with some occasional breaks in there for sleep.) This festival will feature some of the best BBQ teams from around the world, drinks, and an assortment of bands including the Mighty Mighty BossTones. For more information on the Phantom Gourmet BBQ & Music Festival, please visit The Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party website.

Finally, if you’re a fan of music in every form regardless of whether it’s rock, folk, or somewhere in between, Harvard Square is definitely the place to be this weekend. This is because the 7th Annual Make Music Harvard Square festival is tomorrow (Saturday, June 21, 2014) from 2:00 P.M. to approximately 10 P.M. This festival, which pretty much takes over the entire area around Harvard Square, will give you the chance to listen to alternative, blue grass, country, folk, funk, grunge, Goth, hip hop, jazz, pop, R&B, rock, world music, and more. For more information on the Make Music Harvard Square Festival, which is also known as the Fête de la Musique, please visit the Official Harvard Square website.

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A Truly Terrifying Friday the 13th

When you stop and think about it, we’re a strange species. I mean how many other species actively seek out things that frighten them? The answer, of course, is probably not too many because, when you get right down to it, humans are one of the the only animals that has shown any interest in scaring themselves silly at all. However, even though we appear to be in the minority, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out the catharsis that comes with a little controlled horror now and then. And, if you’re looking for a way to truly terrify yourself as the full moon rises on this Friday the 13th, here are a few things that you should definitely check out.

First, if you’re a video game fan looking for something that will give you nightmares, I highly recommend the Nintendo DS game, 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors. This game, which is often abbreviated as 999, is a visual novel in which you take on the role of a 21-year-old college student who finds himself aboard a sinking ship. However, your character’s problems don’t stop there for, shortly after you awake, you come to the realization that you have been kidnapped and placed on board the ship to participate in a disturbing game. The game, as the game’s title indicates, is to work with nine people to escape through nine doors within nine hours, and failure to do so (or failure to follow the rules) will lead to your untimely demise. If 999 sounds like something you just have to check out, you can find out more about the game on the Official Aksys Games 999 website or purchase the game from Amazon.

Secondly, if you’ve already played 999 or you’re just looking for an escape game that’s a little more “real”, you may want to check out Trapped in a Room with a Zombie. Trapped in a Room with a Zombie, which is presented by Room Escape Adventures, is a live-action escape game in which 12 people have 60 minutes to solve a series of puzzles. The only problem is that you and your friends (whether you brought them with you or just met them) won’t actually be alone in the room. In fact, there will be one extremely hungry zombie chained to the wall and his chains will get a little longer every five minutes. As a result, you need to be pretty fast. For more information on Trapped in a Room with a Zombie, please visit the Room Escape Adventures website.

Finally, if you’re a big fan of the AMC series, The Walking Dead, and you think dodging one zombie is child’s play, you may want to head over to the Westin Waterfront in Boston. This is because the Westin Waterfront is hosting Walker Stalker Con from 12:00 P.M. today (Friday the 13th) to Sunday, June 15th at 5:00 P.M. This event will allow you to meet a number of actors and actresses from The Walking Dead, including Jon Bernthal (Shane), Steven Yeun (Glenn), Lauren Cohan (Maggie), Michael Cudlitz (Abraham), Chad Coleman (Tyreese), and a bunch more. It will also give you the opportunity to meet some of the stars of The Boondock Saints and AMC’s Comic Book Men, attend a variety of panels, purchase a wide assortment of zombie-themed items in the Dealer’s Room, and more. For more information on Walker Stalker Con, please visit the Walker Stalker Con Boston 2014 website.

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Some Interesting Ways to Exercise

As the warmer weather begins to set in, more and more people are beginning to leave the comfort of their homes in search of all of the wonders of the outside world. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I talked about some of the events that might actually help you to get your kids outside. The only problem is that your kids are probably not the only ones in need of some time in the sun, and there’s a pretty good chance, after a long winter of hiding from the cold, ice, and snow, that you may be in need of some exercise as well (trust me, you’re not alone.) Fortunately, if you are looking for a way to eliminate some of the pounds that you put on over the winter, the City of Boston and the surrounding area has several events that are sure to help.

First, if you and/or your kids have watched any version of the Three Musketeers and thought to yourself “Wow, I want to learn how to swordfight like that guy”, you’re in luck. This is because the Olympia Fencing Center in Cambridge, MA is offering a free “Intro to Fencing Class” to anyone that is interested. These classes, which are offered to all ages throughout the year, are a great way to learn the basics of fencing and to teach your kids that it might take a lot more work than they think to fight off an entire army. For more information on the “Intro to Fencing Class” offered by the Olympia Fencing Center, please visit the Olympia Fencing Center website or call the Center at (617) 945-9448.

Secondly, if you’re really not too keen on the idea of your kids screaming “Have at thee” while they jab a long, pointy thing at other people or you’re just a big fan of bowling, the Kids Bowl Free program may be more up your alley (if you’ll excuse the pun.) This program consists of a collection of bowling alleys and schools throughout the United States that actually allow kids to bowl for free. In fact, every kid below the age limit set by each individual bowling alley or school will be allowed to play 2 free games a day every day all summer long. Best of all, if you want to join your kids, you can even purchase a family pass that will allow you and up to 3 other adults to play 2 games a day every day for one low price. For more information on the program and/or to find a participating bowling alley near you, please visit the Official Kids Bowl Free website.

Finally, if you would rather watch other people perform physical activities than perform those activities yourself, you may want to check out Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna. Amaluna, which is now appearing at the Marine Industrial Park in Boston, is a love story told through a series of circus acts performed by some of the best acrobats, dancers, jugglers, and other performers that you will ever see. For more information on the show, which runs until July 6, 2014, please visit the Official Cirque Du Soleil website.

Photo credit: Powerhouse Museum Collection / Foter / No known copyright restrictions

The Finer Things in Life

We’ve all heard the old expression, “stop and smell the roses”, but how many people actually take the time to follow through on that advice? I mean, if you stop and think about it, there’s no way around the fact that we live in a really busy world. A world in which school, work, family, unexpected disasters, and a whole list of other similar issues and responsibilities suck up our time faster than an overpowered vacuum cleaner. As a result, it’s often a wonder that anyone has the time to actually sit back, relax, and take in all of the finer things in life. However, it’s still important for everyone, not only for themselves but also for the sanity of the people around them, to find the time to enjoy the little things. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a way to enjoy the finer things in life this weekend, there are several events that are sure to help you relax and put your mind at ease.

First, if you’re an art fan looking for an inexpensive way to see a wide assortment of great artwork, you may want to head on over to the Museum of Fine Arts on Monday. This is because the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is holding an open house on Monday (May 26, 2014) from 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. This event will allow you and your family to enjoy the Museum’s artwork, hear music from several different live bands, see live dancers and other performers, try your hand at making your own artwork, watch Technicolor films, and do a whole lot more for free. For more information on the Memorial Day Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts, please visit the Museum of Fine Arts Programs page.

Secondly, if your passion is more geared towards the culinary arts than the art you would typically find in a museum, Watson Adventures may have a scavenger hunt that’s more up your alley. This is because Watson Adventures is hosting the Munch Around Cambridge Scavenger Hunt at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow (Saturday, May 24, 2014.) This adults-only scavenger hunt will allow you and your friends to search the city of Cambridge for some of the best ice cream, hot chocolate, pizza, sandwiches, and other foods around. For more information on the Munch Around Cambridge Scavenger Hunt and/or to reserve your spot, please visit the Watson Adventures website.

Finally, if you’re more interested in spending time with someone rather than something, you may want to grab your significant other and head over to the Boston Public Garden Lagoon. This is because the Lagoon is the home of the Swan Boats, which are a great way for you and your loved one to enjoy some quality time together on a pleasant, romantic ride around the water. For more information on the Swan Boats, which currently operate daily from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., please visit the Official Swan Boats website.

Photo credit: JD Hancock / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

How To Get Your Kids Outside

A house can be a wonderful thing. It can protect us from the elements, shield us from creatures both big and small, and give us a place to store all of our stuff. In fact, if you have kids, it can be a place for them to store all of their video games, toys, TVs, movies, and everything else that they have collected. As a result, it should come as no great surprise that the average child has very little interest in leaving his or her house at all. However, every so often, there comes a time when a parent has to find a way to get his or her child to go outside (either for the benefit of the parent or the child.) It is, therefore, fortunate that if you are looking for a way to get your child out of the house and into that magical place called the outdoors, there are a number of outdoor events for children in the Boston area this weekend.

First, if your kid is a big fan of kites, there are actually two major kite-flying festivals this weekend, the Franklin Park Kite and Bike Festival and the Revere Beach Kite Festival. The Franklin Park Kite and Bike Festival, which runs from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday (May 18, 2014), will give you and your children the opportunity to eat, purchase your own kite (if you don’t have one already), borrow a bike to tour the park, and, of course, fly a kite. For more information on the Franklin Park Kite and Bike Festival, which is completely free, please visit the Franklin Park Event page. The Revere Beach Kite Festival, which runs from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Sunday (May 18, 2014), will allow you and your children to decorate kites, listen to music, and, as you have probably guessed, fly your own kite. Best of all, if you don’t have a kite and you can’t afford one, Sea Side Kites is actually giving out free kites to the first 300 kids under the age of 12 at the festival. For more information on the Revere Beach Kite Festival, which is free to attend, please visit the Official Revere Beach website.

Secondly, if your kid would rather rock out than watch a piece of fabric dance in the wind, you may want to head to Somerville this weekend. This is because the Somerville Arts Council’s annual PorchFest is this Saturday (May 17, 2014) from 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. PorchFest, which has become a tradition in Somerville, is a daylong event in which musicians throughout the city setup their equipment on their porches in order to demonstrate their musical skills with everything from the banjo to the electric guitar and beyond. For more information on PorchFest and the bands that are playing, please visit the Somerville Arts Council PorchFest page.

Finally, if your kid is in college and you’re desperately looking for a way to get your child out of his or her dorm room, the Red Sox may have you covered. This is because Sunday night (May 18, 2014) is College Media Night at Fenway Park. As a result, students can purchase Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets for $9 a ticket or seats in a number of seating categories for $20 a ticket. Best of all, if your kid can’t make it to the game this weekend, the Red Sox are offering SRO tickets to college students with a valid ID for only $9 all season long. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, please visit the Official Boston Red Sox Student Offer page.

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Making Mother’s Day Memorable

There are some truly remarkable people in this world, but very few people are more remarkable than the average mother. I mean when you stop and think about it, who in their right mind would spend nine months with a tiny little person kicking them, making them sick, and causing every sort of havoc possible to ensure that this same little person could do all of these things to both of his or her parents for the next 18 years? Now, I know what you’re thinking “when you put it that way, it doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.” However, if everyone focused on the downside and ignored the rewarding experience that parenting can be, none of us would be here. As a result, the powers that be have designated this Sunday as Mother’s Day to recognize all of the women who have sacrificed a portion of their lives and/or their sanity to make sure that we are here to celebrate the occasion.

And, if you are looking for a way to celebrate, here are a couple of ways that you can make this Mother’s Day truly memorable. First, if you’re a relatively new mother or the mother of a young child and you’re looking for a way to celebrate mother’s day with your family, you may want to head over to Boston Common this weekend. This is because the Friends of the Public Garden are hosting Duckling Day, which is sponsored by the Motor Mart Garage, from 10:30 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. on Sunday (May 11, 2014.) This celebration of the famous book by Robert McCloskey, “Make Way For Ducklings, will feature clowns, a dramatic reading of “Make Way For Ducklings”, a duckling parade, face painting, magicians, music, puppet shows, play equipment courtesy of Knucklebones, and a whole lot more. In fact, there will even be massage therapists standing by to offer free massages to all of the moms out there that are looking for a chance to unwind. For more information on Duckling Day or to register for the event, please visit the Friends of the Public Garden Events page.

Secondly, if your mom is a big fan of flowers (specifically lilacs) and you’re looking for something that your mother would love, Arnold Arboretum may have the perfect way to make this Mother’s Day memorable. This is because the Arnold Arboretum is hosting Lilac Sunday this Sunday (May 11, 2014) from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. This daylong celebration will allow you and your family to eat, drink, partake in family-oriented activities, see more than 170 different kinds of lilacs, and more. For more information on Lilac Sunday, please visit the Arnold Arboretum News and Events page.

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May the 4th Be With You!

If you saw last night’s episode of the “Big Bang Theory,” you probably already know that this Sunday is one of the most fan-boyish (or fan-girlish as the case may be) days of the year. If, on the other hand, you really aren’t a fan of the Big Bang Theory, you try to avoid stuff people consider “dorky” or nerdy,” or you just missed last night’s episode, you may be wondering what’s so special about the 4th of May. Well, the 4th of May is well-known throughout the science fiction crowd (or the speculative fiction crowd if you prefer) as “Stars Wars Day” because “May the 4th be with you” sounds a lot like the famous “Star Wars” line “May the force be with you.” As a result, there is no shortage of Stars Wars themed events this weekend, and if you’re a fan of the series or you just like people marching around in full body armor, there’s no better time to get your geek on.

First, if you’ve always wondered what it would be like if the Empire took over your local zoo, you don’t need to wonder anymore. This is because Zoo New England is hosting May the 4th Be With You at the Franklin Park Zoo this Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. This event will allow you and anyone else you feel like bringing with you to learn how the animals in the zoo are similar to some of the creatures in the Star Wars universe, participate in a Star Wars themed scavenger hunt, watch some of the animals at the zoo play with their own Star Wars themed enrichment items, and best of all, meet members of the New England Garrison of the 501st Legion (dedicated Star Wars fans who use some of the most impressive costumes you will ever see to dress up as members of the Empire.) You can also meet members of the Alderaan Base of the Rebel Legion (dedicated fans who use extremely detailed costumes to dress up as members of the Rebel Alliance), get your picture taken with your favorite characters, and do a whole lot more. For more information on the May the 4th Be With You at the Franklin Park Zoo event, please visit the Franklin Park Zoo Special Events page.

Secondly, if you can’t make it to the zoo before 3:00 P.M. or you really need an even bigger Star Wars fix, you may want to check out the Cape Ann Community Cinema in Gloucester. The Cape Ann Community Cinema is hosting their own May the 4th Be With You Celebration from 1:30 P.M. to approximately 8:30 P.M. on Sunday. This celebration will feature a fan film festival with a series of fan-made tributes to the Star Wars series; the world premiere of “Plastic Galaxy: The Story of ‘Star Wars’ Toys”; the film that helped inspire some of the plot and storytelling techniques used in Star Wars, “The Hidden Fortress”; and if you missed them at the zoo or you just had to see them again, members of the New England Garrison of the 501st Legion. For more information on the May the 4th Be With You Celebration at the Cape Ann Community Cinema in Gloucester, please visit the Cape Ann Community Cinema website.

Finally, if you aren’t in the Boston area, you’re looking for something that you can do from home, or you’re just in desperate need of some awesome Star Wars swag, you may want to check out the Official Star Wars Day Events page, the Official Star Wars Day Deals page, or the Steam May the 4th Be With You Sale page.

Photo credit: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Blinded by Science

There’s a pretty good chance that you’ve heard the expression “blinded by science” somewhere. In fact, if you were around during the 80’s, you may have heard the song by Thomas Dolby entitled “She Blinded Me With Science” or the Foreigner song entitled “Blinded by Science.” You may have even heard the song or the phrase more recently in well-known shows like Breaking Bad or the Crazy Ones. However, even if you are familiar with the expression, have you ever stopped to figure out what it means? Well, if you haven’t, the expression “blinded by science” refers to the act of using a series of complicated concepts (or, at least, concepts that appear to be complicated) to intentionally confuse someone. In other words, if you are “blinding someone with science,” you are using your scientific knowledge (or your skill at making stuff up) to leave someone completely baffled.

Now, if you would like to have the scientific knowledge to blind someone with science or you enjoy when other people blind you with science, there are a couple of events this weekend that you should definitely check out. First, the MIT Museum, in collaboration with a number of local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations, is hosting the Cambridge Science Festival. This festival, which began last weekend and runs until this Sunday (April 27, 2014), will allow you and your family to attend a series of activities, performances, and workshops to learn about holograms, math, optics, space, and a whole lot more. For more information on the festival and/or to register for a specific event, please visit the MIT Museum website or the Cambridge Science Festival website.

Secondly, if you can’t make it into the city until later and/or you’ve always wanted to learn more about the stars, the Museum of Science has the program for you. This is because the Museum of Science offers a special program on Friday nights from the beginning of March to Thanksgiving called Astronomy After Hours. This program, which runs from 8:30 to 10:00 PM every Friday (weather permitting), will allow you and your family to see stars, planets, and all of the other wonders of space through the equipment at the Gilliland Observatory. Best of all, the program is open to the public and is completely free. For more information on the Astronomy After Hours program, please visit the Museum of Science website or call the Astronomy After Hours hotline at 617-589-0267.

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