Thursday, November 14, 2013

11/14 ARTY FUN OF NOTE

HOLIDAY SHOWS FOR HALF PRICE Did you know many of the big holiday shows that happen this time of year are available half price through the (Boston) Mayor's Holiday program? http://www.mayorsholiday.com/categories/index/7/0/KIDS_AND_FAMILIES
OPEN STUDIOS: WATERTOWN, FENWAY ARTS (BOSTON) 11/16-17 BRICKBOTTOM (SOMERVILLE) 11/23-24 Check out all the fun and amazing artists in many media at Watertown Open Studios this weekend: http://watertown-open-studios.org Also, a great painter's building, the Fenway Arts Building also has open studios this weekend with various musicians from Berkelee playing live in the lobby in the afternoons. http://fenwaystudios.org/openstudios.php And the next weekend a very fun extravaganza of creativity with mood elevators and treats from The Biscuit at the amazing Brickbottom Buildings and neighboring Joy Street Studios: brickbottom.org | joystreetstudios.com
CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS: NORWAY & TURKEY I don't know much about this one, but there is a festival hosted by Boston's Norumbega Society, celebrating Norwegian culture and crafts at the Concord Carlisle HS from 10am – 3pm on the 16th. Meanwhile, from November 29 through December 15, Boston's Turkish Festival is taking place with a variety of events: http://www.bostonturkishfestival.org/index.htm
THE DECORDOVA The DeCordova Museum is a particularly beautiful place to visit in the fall (be sure to get a view from the roof). It's right in Lincoln, about a 30 minute drive. Beginning this weekend is their annual Wonderland extension of their great museum store into a fantastic craft show/sale. Also on the 17th from 1-3 is their monthly family art program aimed at ages 2-12; this month's event involves an exploration of Orly Genger's monumental sculpture Red, Yellow, and Blue. We're talking about following a colorful rope installation through the awesome Sculpture Park with related fun activities. http://www.decordova.org/calendar/clone-artfull-explorations-nov-2013 http://www.decordova.org/calendar/wonderland-2013-artists’-market
CHAIN REACTION FRIDAY Here near MIT, we all know the day after Friday as a day of clever innovation, not mindless consumerism. From 1-4pm be sure to check out the sixteenth annual CHAIN REACTION day! A gazillion kids get involved to line up their chain reaction works of art into one massive chain reaction. You can register a team through this week (the 15th), but watching it and getting ideas for next year is also a fine plan. Spectators: $15 for adults or $12.50 in advance. $5 for children ages 5-17, students, seniors and MIT ID-holders. 
Free for children under 5. http://web.mit.edu/museum/programs/fat2013.html
5000 MOVING PARTS at the MIT MUSEUM Abd opening on November 21st is this amazing exhibit of kinetic sculpture at the MIT Museum, a short walk from Cambridgeport School: http://5000movingparts.mit.edu If you go see this on Chain Reaction Friday, your ticket will get you in free until 6pm.
SMFA SALE The annual sale of student work from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts is November 21-24. Go at the very beginning to find the great stuff for your house or holiday gifts. http://www.mfa.org/programs/special-event/smfa-art-sale-0
BELMONT FILM FESTIVAL CELBRATES WESTON WOODS November 23-24 at the Studio Cinema and Beech St. Center in Belmont there will be classic and new films from the Weston Woods Studios library, anniversary cake, and a talk and book signing from the father daughter author/illustrator team of Rebecca and Ed Emberley. Weston Woods did the childrens book films, CDs, audiocassettes, etc. based on many beloved children's books from Maurice Sendak, Lois Lowry, Robert McCloskey and more. http://www.belmontworldfilm.org

Thursday, November 7, 2013

11/7 ARTY FUN OF NOTE

FREE BOOKS, REALLY GREAT FREE BOOKS, REALLY

Are you familiar with World Book Night? Fantastic books are chosen each year to be given away for free. Publishers contribute special editions, UPS helps deliver them for free, local bookstores volunteer to coordinate taking shipments, and you volunteer to give them out FOR FREE. Sometimes cool things really happen. Want to be part? Apply to be a World Night Book giver here – let them know where you'd give your books so that people who don't always have access to books would get them. (I've simply given them away at a bus stop the last couple of years. ) Note that World Book Night this year is 4/23 which is during April school vacation: http://www.us.worldbooknight.org

ALLSTON OPEN STUDIOS

12-6pm both weekend days it is Open Studios in the Allston Arts District: http://www.allstonarts.org Check out what's going on in this small community, maybe get some holiday shopping done early. Support your local artists!

GROOVERSITY PERCUSSION FESTIVAL

Saturday, November 9 from 1-6pm (you can walk in anytime), check out the Grooversity Percussion Festival at the East Somerville Community School (ESCS), 50 Cross Street, Somerville. The theme is Music, Peace and Justice. The mission is to empower kids and adults to make meaningful, positive change in their lives and communities through music and dance. The festival will feature workshops in world drumming by renowned masters, a panel discussion on Peace and Justice through Music Education, as well as a samba dance class, and several special percussion performances. The festival will also be streamed online in real time and may be viewed at www.grooversity.com

ART + SCIENCE = FOOD

Have you ever heard about the cool course at Harvard in Science and Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to the Science of Soft Matter? The lecture portion of it is open to the public and is fascinating fun. Famous chefs come and present public lectures. Inspired by the course on Monday nights. They start at 7, but get there early to get a seat. http://ofa.fas.harvard.edu/cal/details.php?ID=44179

FOR ASPIRING CRAFTSPEOPLE AND THOSE WHO LIKE TO KNOW HOW THINGS ARE MADE

The North Bennet St. School in the North End is one of the oldest craft schools in North America. It's a fascinating place to explore and unless you attend the school, you need to go to the Open House on Saturday from 10-3pm to peep inside and check out the process and behind-the-scenes of how amazing furniture, instruments, jewelry, books, and more are created. MFA If you are an MFA member, the Family Member Day with all it's workshops and fun is on Saturday.