Tag: Independent Films

Exploring the History and Culture of Boston

Paul Revere
Patriot’s Day, which was originally established to honor the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the beginning of the Revolutionary War, is actually this Monday. Now, for anyone outside of Massachusetts and Maine, the fact that Patriot’s Day is this weekend probably doesn’t mean a whole lot because most states don’t celebrate the holiday. In fact, unless you’re a serious history buff or you live in Massachusetts, Maine, or Wisconsin (the only states to officially recognize the holiday), Patriot’s Day is probably just another day on the calendar. However, if you are in the Boston area, Monday is not only the third day of a three-day weekend but also an opportunity to watch the Boston Marathon and explore the history and culture of a great city.

As a result, if you are looking for a way to explore the history of Boston, there is probably no better way than the Inside the Box: Massachusetts State House Time Capsule Revealed exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. This exhibit, which ends on Wednesday (April 22, 2015), features a time capsule that was originally buried in 1795 by Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and William Scollay and then excavated and reburied in 1855 after a number of other items were added. This means that you will have the opportunity to see coins, plaques, and newspapers that are anywhere from 160 to over 360 years old. In addition to the time capsule, the exhibit will also feature other historical objects and portraits of some of the prominent individuals from the time periods in which the capsule was originally placed and previously opened. For more information on the Inside the Box exhibit , which is included in the museum’s normal admission price, please visit the Museum of Fine Arts Boston’s Exhibition page.

If, on the other hand, you’re more interested in the current culture of Boston than you are in its history, you may want to check out the Boston International Film Festival. The Boston International Film Festival, which started last night (April 16, 2015) and runs until Monday (April 20, 2015), will feature 70 independent and experimental films from around the world. However, this festival will not only allow you to watch a number of short and full-length films but will also allow you to meet some of the stars, producers, and directors of these films, including stars that have appeared in well-known shows like Agent Carter, Nikita, 12 Monkeys, and more. For more information on the Boston International Film Festival, which is considered to be one of the best film festivals in the world, please visit the Boston International Film Festival website.

Photo credit: timsackton / Foter / CC BY-SA

Friday Fun: Comic Books and Concerts

As we say “sayonara” to another summer month, it finally looks like we may be in for a weekend where we’re not going to be drenched in sweat or rain. Unfortunately, since we’re now past the halfway point of summer, there isn’t as much going on in the Boston area as there was a few weeks ago, which just sort of figures. In fact, you may have already realized that finding stuff to do this weekend is going to be a little more challenging than usual as your favorite app, website, and/or newspaper just doesn’t seem to have a whole lot listed. However, there are still a number of events going on in the area, and you should be able to find something for just about everyone.

If you’re a comic book fan, there is one major event that you should definitely check out in Boston this weekend. Boston Comic Con, which runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Seaport World Trade Center, is one of the largest comic book conventions in the Northeast. This event will give you the opportunity to attend panels with well-known comic book artists, buy a wide assortment of comic-book related merchandise and artwork, check out all of the people in costumes, enter contests (including a cosplay contest), meet actresses from the Walking Dead and True Blood, meet actors from the Hobbit, play games, watch a variety of independent and zombie-themed films, and a whole lot more. Tickets for the convention are $25.00 for one day or $40.00 for both Saturday and Sunday, and you can purchase tickets and find out more about the convention at the Boston Comic Con website.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for something that is aimed more at younger kids than teenagers and kids at heart, you may want to head on over to Georges Island. Georges Island, which is actually an island located in Boston Harbor, is holding a Family Jam with Karen K and the Jitterbugs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, August 3, 2013.) This concert will feature kids music, dancing, kids crafts, and other kid-friendly activities. The concert and all of the activities are free, but you will have to pay $15 for each individual 12 or over and $9 for each person between the ages of 4 and 11 to take the ferry to the island (kids 3 and under are free.) For more information, check out the Boston Harbor Island website.