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.