2/13 ARTY FUN OF NOTE

Hi from The Cambridgeport School Arts Committee. It's that random time of the week where I attempt to inspire you to add some arty fun to your life. Happy School Vacation, and happy snow! I won't be updating this during the next two weeks.

GET CONTEMPORARY

The ICA has some fun mid-week programs next week for families. Workshops will have you creating a painting without paint, seeing the sculptures by visual and performance artist Nick Cave and designing your own 3D suits or environments for small figures and animals. Kids are free for these events.

BOSTON LIBRARIES

Boston Public Library locations will host a variety of vacation activities. Storytelling, crafts, puppet shows, music programs, games, Lego clubs, and much more are on the schedule.

And parents, if you missed Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook, at the Cambridge Library in November, you can see him at the BPL in Copley Square Wednesday the 26^th at 6pm

MEANWHILE, MONDAY

That's all well and good, except the ICA and the library are closed on Mondays, so head to the Isabella Stewart Gardner or the MFA.

Monday through Friday 10-4 (until 8 on Wed), the MFA has Free admission for kids.

The Cogan Family Foundation is sponsoring week of activities at the MFA, with the theme of shapes. There will be lots of art-making activities and an adult must accompany a kid.

The non-free afternoon vacation classes at the MFA studios are currently sold out for the 6-8 set but there may be space for 9-11 year olds.

Snag a library pass to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and you can also do the fantastic art activities they have planned for the week. Note, the Gardner is closed on Tuesdays.  

I HAVE A DREAM

The Citi Performing Arts Center's Education Team has organized an empowering interactive reading of Kadir Nelson's I Have A Dream picture book inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  There will be audience participation, poetry workshops, and take home activities. You may win a copy of the book. This event is taking place multiple times, including at the Margaret Fuller House, other neighborhood community centers, Boston Centers for Youth, and libraries.

THE UNIVERSE IS ART

Okay, I'm going to cross the science/art line back and forth some for these next two. It's a fine line when we are talking about visual beauty and I want to tell you something possibly off-topic. The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics has rooftop stargazing through telescopes on the third Thursdays of the month. It's like the ultimate art viewing, right? They give a lecture, then, if weather permits, head to the roof. The lectures they give prior are intended for high school age and older but kids are welcome. This month's lecture has four "stellar" astronomers include Nobel Prize-winning Robert Wilson. The Big Bang and cosmic inflation, dark energy and the accelerating universe, and more will be discussed. Admission is free but seating is limited, so go more than 15 minutes ahead of the 7pm door opening. There is a main lecture room and an overflow crowd in a screening room. Note that if you are parking around there after 5pm you can ignore the "Staff Only" signs.

SNOWFLAKE SHAPES

The Trustees of Reservations has some fantastic places to visit in the area, and hey, your trusty arts guide was once a Trustees ranger. The 20^th is a fantastic time to explore Ravenswood Park in Gloucester. There is a naturalist program that day from 1-3 PM (Adults $5-8, kids FREE) where you can explore the wonder of snowflakes, making ice crystal models and paper flakes and viewing the famous snowflakes of Wilson Bentley, who your kids know about, thanks to Liz the Librarian. Pre-register for this one. 978-281-8400

WHAT'S UP DURING VACATION, DOC?

Next week there is also the annual Bugs Bunny Film Festival at the Brattle, of course.

I STILL DIDN'T GET YOU TO SALEM?

Seriously? I still didn't get you just half an hour away to the Peabody Essex Museum to see the 70 birds playing bass? (see last week's blog) What if you also could see ice sculptures around town, too? If you go this weekend or early next week you may still have a chance to see 14 large sculptures…a seahorse, a rubber ducky, a sailboat, and more...

PARTY LIKE A PARENT

I am a big believer in spontaneous dance parties at your desk throughout the day, however, if you want to do it better, and bigger, and with other humans, take some Dance Partydance lessons and then join the dance party Saturday night 7-9:30 at the Dance Complex.

2/7 ARTY FUN OF NOTE

Hi from The Cambridgeport School Arts Committee. It's that random time of the week where I attempt to inspire you to add some arty fun to your life.

Lunar New Year 2014 – The Year of the Horse

On Saturday the MFA is free from 10-4:45pm. You can watch a parade and performance with Gund Kwok Lion Dance Troupe. Learn about Gong-Fu, Chinese Martial Arts, and Saebae, a Korean bowing ceremony. 

Meanwhile, the Chinatown festival happens on Sunday, February 9^th. This is when the different lion dance clubs (the dancers are also martial artists) go door-to-door throwing around fireworks and eating lettuce. It's loud and messy, and the biggest celebration around.

Feeling Jazzy?

There is a new live jazz series that is taking place at The Green Room. That's 62 Bow Street in Union Square, Somerville. Saturday, Feb 8, 3pm ($10) you can see Cheap Parlor Tricks.

Second SatARTdays

Join some of the artists of Joy Street Studios Saturday, Feb 8, for their monthly open studios from 12-6. Maybe you'll find an interesting Valentine's gift. Joy Street Studios are at 86 Joy Street in Somerville.

Recharge with a Weekday Field Trip!

Here's a tip for those of you free on a weekday afternoon. Break up the winter blahs. Pick up your kid at school, and drive to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, arriving at 4pm. Your kids are free, and you'll pay the reduced price entry. You will be there without the lines or crowds or timed entries of the weekend, and have plenty of time to see Boursier-Mougenot's sonic installation. This is a big room with 70 beautiful zebra finches flying around and a path that meanders around their aviary which is also home to a flock of Gibson Les Paul and Thunderbird bass guitars attached to amps. The birds land on the instruments, hop on them, and voila, a constantly changing soundscape. Afterwards, go have dinner in Salem, catch a glimpse of the ocean, and be home by bedtime.

A Couple Later Night Events of Note for the Parents

Somerville Local First is having a benefit concert on Sunday night with Mission of Burma. It will be their only Boston area performance in 2014. It's at the Regent Theater in Arlington. Also placing are Peter Prescott's (Burma's drummer) other band Minibeast, and Bugs and Rats. Doors open at 7 PM, show at 7:30 PM. Tickets: $27, $22. Help us celebrate all our local heroes by coming to the show! Buy your tickets here. 

Next Wednesday, Somerville flutist Peter H. Bloom invites you to another evening of FiLmprov on February 12  – improvised music (woodwinds, brass, piano, percussion) to the world premier of Kate Matson's film, "Silhouettes." It's at 8pm at MIT, Killian Hall, 160 Memorial Drive, and it's free. Information: 617-452-3205.