Friday Fun – Page 19 – Salem Happenings

Friday Fun: First Weekend of Summer

Today marks the first official day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and it already looks like this weekend is going to be a great time to enjoy the nice weather if you live in the Northeast. In fact, the sun is shining, the temperatures are in the mid 70’s, and the cats of the world are already trying to figure out the best way to get to the birds singing outside. As a result, this weekend is offering up the perfect weather to start off the summer right, and if you’re looking for a good way to get out of the office and enjoy the weather this weekend, you may want to look into a few of these events.

First, if your kids are really into kites or they’re driving you so crazy that you’re ready to tell them to “go fly a kite!”, you may want to head on over to Spectacle Island this weekend. Spectacle Island is holding a kite-flying day tomorrow, June 22, 2013, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. This event will not only allow your kids to fly a kite in one of the best places to fly a kite in Boston, but will also allow your family to build their own kite for free. So, as Mary Poppins would say, “Let’s go fly a kite up to the highest height.” For more information, please visit the Boston Harbor Islands website.

Secondly, if you and/or your family are more into carnivals than kites, you can always head on over to Revere Beach. This weekend marks the last weekend of the Revere Beach Carnival, which means it’s your last chance to enjoy the food, rides, games, and petting zoo this year. The carnival is open from 1 pm to approximately 10:00 or 11:00 pm all weekend, and if you would like more information or discount coupons, check out the Fiesta Shows website.

Finally, if you’re really looking for some way to include your dog in your outdoor activities this weekend, the Avenue Marketing Group may have exactly what you’re looking for. The Avenue Marketing Group is hosting Pooch-A-Palooza on Saturday and Sunday this weekend from 10 am to 7 pm at Prowse Farm in Canton, MA. Pooch-A-Palooza is an outdoor dog festival featuring dog contests, music, kid’s games, food for both humans and dogs, and a whole lot more. For more information, please visit the Pooch-A-Palooza website.

Friday Fun: Father’s Day Weekend

A couple of months ago, the United States had some really dry weather, and if you had asked people what they wanted for weather at the time, a lot of people would have said rain. In fact, some areas of the country received two to three inches of rain less than they typically get, and there were a lot of people concerned about the possibility of a serious drought. However, if you were to ask the same question about the weather now, most people would probably tell you that they would really like to see the sun again sometime during their lifetime. For, as you might guess, it has now been raining pretty much nonstop for the last month and, as the old saying goes, “when it rains, it pours.” Fortunately, if you are one of the people who would really like to see the sun again, it may make your day to know that the weather is beginning to look a lot more promising just in time for Father’s Day Weekend. And, if you’re looking for something interesting to do with your father this weekend, there are a number of events in the Boston area that you should definitely check out.

The first event that you may want to check out if you’re looking for something to do with your father this Father’s Day weekend is the Father’s Day Weekend Vintage Baseball Triple Header. The Vintage Baseball Triple Header is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day for any father that is a big fan of baseball and/or a big fan of history as it will actually give you the opportunity to watch two teams go head to head in a game of baseball using the actual rules from the 1860’s. This means that you will only see underhand pitches, catches that count as outs even though the ball bounced once, and players that are a lot more hardcore than some of the professional players you may have seen because the players in this game have to catch the ball without a glove. The Vintage Baseball Triple Header will also feature demonstrations that show you how bats and balls are made, activities for kids, food, drinks, and a bunch of different souvenirs. For more information on the Vintage Baseball Triple Header, which takes place at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury, MA, please visit the Vintage Baseball Triple Header’s website or call 978-462-2634.

Another place that you may want to consider if you’re father isn’t a big fan of baseball or you just think your father belongs in a zoo is Zoo New England. This is because both of Zoo New England’s locations, including the Stone Zoo and the Franklin park Zoo, are offering free admission to the zoo for fathers on Father’s Day. In fact, if you and your father can make it to the Franklin Park Zoo around noon on Sunday, there will also be music, games, and prizes courtesy of Magic 106.7. For more information on the Father’s Day events at the zoos, please visit the special events page for The Stone Zoo and/or the Franklin Park Zoo.

Finally, if your father really isn’t into the zoo, you can always take him to a museum. The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and a number of other museums in the Boston area are offering free or discounted admission for fathers on Father’s Day.

Friday Fun: A Little Bit of Culture (Sci-fi or Otherwise)

The first tropical storm of the year, tropical storm Andrea, has made its way up the east coast, and while it isn’t bringing that much wind to the Northeast, it is dumping buckets and buckets of rain in every direction you look. In fact, as I sit here typing this, there is a squirrel sitting on the fence outside my window attempting to use his (or perhaps her) tail as an umbrella. As you might guess, this had led me to the conclusion that things outside are more than a little wet as even the squirrels are having trouble finding somewhere dry. Fortunately, if you are looking for somewhere to spend your weekend without using your bag, briefcase, or other accessory as an umbrella (since you presumably don’t have a tail), there are a number of events in the Boston area that are occurring after the storm is over this weekend.

First, if you’re a big fan of Star Trek and you’ve been looking for a way to prove your undying adoration for the show or the movies, you may want to head on over to the Hynes Convention Center tomorrow or Sunday. The Hynes Convention Center is hosting the Official Star Trek Convention – Boston on Saturday and Sunday this weekend from 10:00 a.m. on. This convention will feature special guest appearances from William Shatner (Captain Kirk), George Takai (Sulu), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), Brent Spiner (Data), Michael Dorn (Worf), Nana Visitor (Major Kira), and a slew of other actors and actresses from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The convention will also feature Star Trek auctions, costumes, contests, merchandise, music videos, and everything else a true fan could possibly want. If this all sounds like a blast to you, check out the convention’s website.

If, on the other hand, Star Trek isn’t really your thing or you’re just looking for something that is cultural without the sci-fi culture, you may want to check out the Boston Irish Festival or the Boston Dragon Boat Festival. The Boston Irish Festival, which is the largest Irish Festival on the East Coast, features Irish dancing, food, games, music, and a whole lot more. The Festival runs from today (although a lot of the major events have been rescheduled due to the storm) through Sunday, and if you would like more information on the Festival, you can find it all on the Boston Irish Festival Website.

The Boston Dragon Boat Festival is not only the longest running Dragon Boat Festival in North America, but is also one of the largest celebrations of all things Asian in the Northeast. In fact, you can expect to see arts and crafts, Chinese and Japanese drumming, martial arts demonstrations, traditional dances from India and Korea, a wide assortment of different foods, and, most importantly, dragon boats racing down the Charles. Most of the Dragon Boat Festival will take place on Sunday, but the time trials for the dragon boat races will take place on Saturday. For more information on the Dragon Boat Festival, please visit the Boston Dragon Boat Festival website.

Friday Fun: How to Beat the Heat

It may not officially be summertime yet, but the warm weather is definitely here. In fact, if you’re living in the Boston area or you’re planning to go just about anywhere in the Northeast this weekend, you’ll probably see temperatures in the mid 80’s to low 90’s. This means that while the weather may be perfect if you’re planning to spend a few hours outside, it’s going to be pretty hot if you’re planning on doing anything other than sitting or swimming. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a way to entertain your family without succumbing to the heat, there are some upcoming events that are conveniently located in air-conditioned buildings (or somewhere with a cool ocean breeze.)

The first place that you may want to check out if you’re looking for a way to beat the heat this weekend is the Boston Sailing Center. The Boston Sailing Center is offering free sailing cruises from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1st. Each of these cruises will typically last approximately 20 to 30 minutes and will give you the opportunity to either sit back and relax as you cruise down the waterfront or try your hand at steering the boat. For more information on the Boston Sailing Center’s Free Sailing Open House, please visit the Boston Sailing Center website.

The second place that you may want to check out if you’re looking for a way to escape the heat this weekend is the New England Aquarium. The New England Aquarium is offering free admission to its IMAX theatre at 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2nd. This means that you and your family will be able to see sharks, turtles, fish, and all of the other creatures that live in and around the coral reefs of the world (12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.) or more penguins than you’ve ever seen before (1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.) on one of the biggest screens you will ever see without paying a dime. For more information, please visit the New England Aquarium’s website.

The third and final place that you may want to check out if your kids are big fans of Harry Potter and you’re looking for somewhere cool to spend the day is the Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum of Fine Arts and Watson Adventures is holding a Wizard School Scavenger Hunt at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday. This event will allow kids ages 10 and up (even kids that are technically adults, but still kids at heart) to track down centaurs, dragons, giants, owls, unicorns, and other creatures and objects from the world of Harry Potter in the artwork of the museum. To find out more about the event or to register for it, please visit the Watson Adventures website.

Friday Fun: Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is a time to go outside, fire up the grill, and most importantly, honor the memories of all of the brave men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life. Unfortunately, a lot of the activities that we typically associate with Memorial Day weekend are difficult to perform in poor weather. Let’s face it. Trying to fire up a grill or watch a parade is no easy task when the rain is pouring so hard that you look like a drowned rat as soon as you get out the door. As a result, many people are already trying to figure out what they are going to do if it really does rain all weekend. Fortunately, if you are one of these people and you’re more than a little concerned about the weather, there are a number of events occurring in the Boston area that will allow you to celebrate the holiday without getting too wet.

First, if you’re a big fan of art or just a big fan of Boston, you may want to check out the Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum of Fine Arts is not only offering free admission and discounts in the museum’s stores this weekend, but is also displaying a series of special exhibits that are designed to honor the City of Boston and show support for all of the people who were affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. In fact, the museum is planning to donate all of the money that it receives from on-site contributions this weekend to the One Fund to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and their families. For more information on the events happening this weekend at the Museum of Fine Arts, please visit the MFA website.

Secondly, if you’re a big fan of maritime history, you may want to head down to the USS Constitution Museum. The USS Constitution Museum is holding a series of special activities this weekend that are specifically designed to teach children and their parents what it was like to be a Marine or a Sailor aboard the USS Constitution. Some of the activities occurring at the museum this weekend include lessons on how to march, how to make an Officer’s Hat, the tools that Marines and Sailors had to use, and, for an additional fee of $2, how to build a ship. For more information on these events, please visit the USS Constitution website or call (617) 426-1812.

Finally, if a museum just doesn’t seem like a fun way to spend your Memorial Day weekend and music is more your thing, you may want to make your way over to Lexington. The Lexington Symphony is holding a special concert on Memorial Day to honor the 300th anniversary of the Town of Lexington. This concert will actually feature several never-before-heard pieces that explore freedom, the American Revolution, and a number of other patriotic themes. For more information, please visit the Lexington Symphony Website.

Friday Fun: Music Festivals and More

There’s no question that summer is rapidly approaching. The weather is getting warmer, the sun is staying out longer, and the house cats of the world are propelling themselves towards windows to get as close to the squirrels as they can. However, no matter what you consider to be the strongest indication that summer is on its way, one question still remains. How are you going to enjoy the nice weather this weekend? Well, if you’re looking for a way to get outside and enjoy the nice weather in the Boston area this weekend, here are some outdoor events that you should definitely check out.

First, if you’re a neo hippy (yes, you read that right) or you’re just into 90’s bands that no one’s actually heard of, you may want to check out Radio 92.9’s Earth Fest. Earth Fest is sort of like a modern day Woodstock in the fact that it gives the unwashed masses a chance to stand in a field all day and watch a whole bunch of different bands play for free. Fortunately, Radio 92.9’s version of Woodstock is a little more family friendly than the original as it features a number of bands specifically for kids in addition to the bands that are aimed at all of the people who were actually around in the 90’s. Earth Fest will open its doors at around 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the DCR Hatch Shell in Boston. For more information on Wood…err…Earth Fest, check out the Earth Fest website.

Secondly, if you’re not really into 90’s music or hanging around in one place all day, you may find Porchfest more to your liking. The Somerville Arts Council has a somewhat strange but incredibly creative tradition of encouraging all of its local musicians to hold concerts throughout the city on a specific day each year. This tradition is known as Porchfest because each concert is actually held on the front porch of one of the musicians performing there. As a result, if you are in the Somerville area on Saturday and you want to check out the largest and quite frankly one of the most bizarre collections of music you will ever hear, you may want to take a look at the webpage for this year’s Porchfest.

Finally, if you’re not really into rocking out, but you’ve always been a big fan of Japan, you may want to check out Japan Festival Boston. Japan Festival Boston is an annual celebration of all things Japanese, and it has more Japanese food, vendors, and performers than you’ll know what to do with. In fact, the entire festival is designed to mimic a traditional Japanese festival, so you can expect a truly authentic Japanese experience with a Boston feel. For more information on Japan Festival Boston, please visit the Japan Festival Boston website.

Friday Fun: Mother’s Day

This weekend, as you may already know, is Mother’s Day weekend, which means that it is a time to celebrate all of the things that your mother has done for you and a time to apologize for all of the trouble that you have caused over the past year. Unfortunately, you’ve probably already realized that it’s not always easy to come up with a way to honor the incredible amount of time, effort, and money that your mother put into raising you. In fact, finding a way to atone for all of the mischief you may have caused when were younger (or are still causing) can be even more difficult, and if you’re one of the fine, upstanding individuals who totally forgot about the holiday, you may be desperately seeking a way to demonstrate your respect for your mother this weekend. Fortunately, if you’re at a loss as to what to do for your mother this Mother’s Day, you’ll be happy to know that there a number of events specifically designed to honor your mother occurring throughout the weekend.

First, if your mother has a favorite museum or a favorite hobby that is related to one of the museums in your local area, you may want to look into taking her there. Many museums have special events and/or discounts this weekend specifically for mothers, and your mother may be able to get into the museum for free or at a large discount, view special exhibits, have brunch with other mothers, and/or take part in a bunch of activities specifically geared towards mothers and their children. Some of the museums in the Northeast offering special exhibits, brunches, and/or free admission to mothers this weekend include the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, the Discovery Museums, the Providence Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Secondly, if your mother isn’t really a big fan of museums, but she likes animals, you may want to check out your local zoo or aquarium. A large number of zoos and aquariums offer free admission, discounts on food and gifts, and other special offers for mothers this weekend. In fact, mothers living in the Boston area can get into the Franklin Park Zoo, the Stone Zoo, and the New England Aquarium for free on Sunday (although your mother will have to go with someone purchasing a full-priced ticket to take advantage of the Aquarium offer.)

Finally, if all else fails, you can always take your mother to her favorite restaurant. A lot of restaurants offer a special brunch or other special meals for mothers this weekend, and these meals can be a excellent way to celebrate the holiday and get some great food. However, it is important to remember that these brunches can be pretty pricey, and they tend to fill up fast. As a result, it is always a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation before you head over to the restaurant.

Friday Fun: Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a day filled with music, food, and, for some among us, a little too much tequila. However, it is important to remember that there is a lot more to Cinco de Mayo than some interesting music and cuisine. In fact, Cinco de Mayo is not only a day for many individuals to celebrate their Mexican heritage, but also a day to celebrate the historical significance of the events that took place on that day. This is because the celebration of Cinco de Mayo marks a significant Mexican victory in the city of Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862.

At the time, the French, upon the order of Napoleon III, were attempting to invade and seize control of Mexico. Fortunately for the Mexicans and not so fortunately for the French, the French force of approximately 8,000 well-trained, well-equipped men were decisively defeated by approximately 4,500 Mexican soldiers near the city of Puebla. The French eventually returned with reinforcements and conquered Mexico, but the victory at Puebla delayed the French takeover by almost a year. This delay is significant because it not only inspired the Mexican resistance that eventually overthrew the French occupation, but also prevented the French from aiding the Confederacy during the American Civil War. As a result, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of events that are not only important to people in Mexico but also to people in the United States as well. This means that everyone can join in on the celebration, and if you would like to join in, you may want to check out some of these events this weekend.

First, if you’re in the Boston area and you’re looking for a new way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, you may want to check out one of the Cinco de Mayo cruises. Boston Fun Cruises and several other Boston-based cruise companies are offering special cruises to celebrate the 5th of May with plenty of music, food, and beverages on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. For more information on these cruises and other Cinco de Mayo events in the Boston area, check out Boston.com’s Cinco de Mayo event page.

Secondly, if you’re in the Washington D.C. area and you’re looking for a more family-friendly way to celebrate the holiday, you may want to check out the National Cinco de Mayo Festival. The National Cinco de Mayo Festival is an enormous fiesta that is held on the National Mall each year from noon to 6 P.M. on May 5th. This festival is filled with art, food, music, dancing, dance contests, children’s arts and crafts, and a whole lot more. Need more information? No problem. Just check out the website of the festival’s hosts, the Maru Montero Dance Company.

Finally, if you’re in the San Francisco area or the San Diego area, you may want to check out the Mission neighborhood in San Francisco or Old Town in San Diego. Both of these areas have some of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States, and you can expect to encounter Mexican beverages, dancing, food, music, jewelry, and more Mexican culture and history than you will see anywhere else outside of Mexico. To find out more about the celebration in San Francisco, check out the San Francisco Cinco de Mayo Festival website. If you’re looking for more information on the San Diego celebration in Old Town, on the other hand, you may want to check out the Old Town Cinco De Mayo Fiesta website.

Friday Fun: The Power of Music

“Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” “Music is the voice that tells us that the human race is greater than it knows.” These quotes from William Congreve, Victor Hugo, and Napoleon Bonaparte, respectively, are from three very different people. However, all of these individuals had one thing in common — they all understood the power of music.

The power of music is something that we see on a day to day basis because music, as these three individuals suggested, has the power to soothe us, to express things that we don’t know how to say, and to demonstrate the strength of the human spirit. As a result, it’s important to remember that music is so much more than some simple words put to a pleasant tune, and if you’re looking for a way to soothe your mind and escape the trials and tribulations of the world around you, you may just want to know about some of the musical events that are taking place in the Boston area this weekend.

First, if you’re a fan of the opera or you want to be able to tell all of your friends that you have some serious “class”, you may want to check out the Boston Lyric Opera’s production of The Flying Dutchman. The Boston Lyric Opera, which is the largest and one of the most well-respected opera companies in the Northeast, is performing the original version of Richard Wagner’s tale of a cursed sea captain and the woman who loves him tonight at 7:30 P.M., Sunday afternoon at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday (5/1/2013) at 7:30 P.M., next Friday (5/3/2013) at 7:30 P.M., and next Sunday afternoon (5/5/2013) at 3:00 P.M. To find out more about the show and to purchase tickets, please visit the Boston Lyric Opera’s website.

Second, if you like musical theater, but the opera is not really your thing, you may want to look into attending the Berklee College of Music’s production of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Students from the Berklee College of Music are performing James Rado and Gerome Ragni’s well-known stage show about peace, social injustice, rock and roll, and the hippie movement tonight at 7:30. For more information on the show and to purchase tickets, please visit the Berklee College of Music’s event page

Finally, if you’re looking for something a little more current than music from 1841 or 1967 and you don’t mind waiting until Wednesday, Radio may have what you’re looking for. Radio, which is a relatively new club in Somerville, is hosting a fundraiser for the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing called Radio Loves Boston at 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday (5/1/2013.) This show will feature 20 independent bands playing every type of rock known to man, and all of the proceeds from the show will go to the One Fund Boston. If you’re interested in finding out more about the show, visit Radio’s Facebook page.

A Moment of Silence

Normally, I would use this opportunity to discuss some of the things that you can do to entertain yourself, your friends, and your family this weekend. However, in light of the tragic events that occurred in Boston on Monday and the alarming number of people who have been directly or indirectly affected by them, I have decided to forgo my usual blog post. Instead, I believe that the blogging equivalent of a moment of silence is in order to honor of all of the people who have bigger concerns than how they’re going to entertain themselves this weekend. As such, I leave you with a list of charities that are offering support for the victims and their families:

1. The One Fund Boston: A charity established by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Tom Menino, and a number of Boston businesses to assist those most affected by the tragedy.

2. The American Red Cross: The American Red Cross doesn’t need any further assistance for this disaster, but they will need blood, platelet, and financial donations in the future to help with other disasters like the one in Boston.

3. The Boston First Responders Fund: A charity established by local fire stations, police stations, and emergency medical services to assist the victims of the bombing.